EXAMPLE: NCO- has three possible resonance forms.
Resonance (continued)
Formal charges:
-2
0
+1
-1
0
0
0
0
-1
Forms B and C have negative formal charges on N and O. These forms are more important than Form A.
Form C has a negative charge on O which is more electronegative than N. Therefore, Form C contributes the most to the resonance hybrid.
| Previous slide | Next slide | Back to first slide | View graphic version |