Physical movement of electrons: One common

misconception is that resonance structures represent

different physical arrangements of electrons that rapidly
interconvert. In reality, resonance structures are simply
different ways of representing the same molecule or ion, with
the true electronic structure being a hybrid or combination of
these structures. Electrons do not physically move between
different resonance structures.

Equal contribution of resonance structures: Another

misconception is that all resonance structures contribute
equally to the overall electronic structure of a molecule or
ion. In reality, the extent of contribution of each resonance
structure depends on factors such as resonance energy and
electronegativity. Some resonance structures may contribute
more than others, leading to a dominant or major resonance
contributor.

Stability confusion: Resonance structures are often

mistakenly thought to represent different energy states or
isomers of a molecule. Resonance itself does not confer
stability; rather, it is a way of describing the delocalization of
electrons within a molecule or ion. Stability arises from the
distribution of electrons in the resonance hybrid.

Localization of charge: Resonance structures are

sometimes misinterpreted as representing localized charges.
While resonance structures can show formal charges, they do
not imply the presence of actual localized charges in specific
positions. Resonance delocalizes the charge distribution,
resulting in a more evenly spread electron density.

Bond flipping: Another misconception is the idea that

resonance structures involve the flipping or interchanging of
bonds. Resonance structures are simply different ways of
depicting the same molecule or ion, and the connectivity of
atoms remains unchanged. The movement of electrons in
resonance involves the rearrangement of electron density,
not the swapping of bonds.

It is important to understand these misconceptions to avoid

misunderstandings and to develop a more accurate
understanding of resonance theory in organic chemistry.

• Resonance structures are in equilibrium with each other.

This is not true. Resonance structures are not physical entities,
but rather theoretical constructs that help us to understand the
delocalization of electrons in molecules.
• Resonance structures are two or more Lewis structures with
different arrangements of atoms and electrons. This is also
not true. Resonance structures must have the same number of
atoms and the same overall bonding pattern. The only difference
between resonance structures is the way that the electrons are
arranged.
• Resonance structures only contain charged atoms. This is not
true. Resonance structures can also contain neutral atoms. For
 example, the nitrate ion has three resonance structures, all of
which contain neutral nitrogen atoms.
• Formal charge and resonance structures are not related.
This is not true. The formal charge of an atom in a resonance
structure is calculated based on the number of valence electrons
that the atom would have if it were isolated, plus or minus the
number of electrons that it shares with other atoms in the
molecule. The formal charge can help us to determine the
relative stability of different resonance structures.
• The stability of resonance structures is only determined by
the location of charges in the atoms. This is not true. The
stability of resonance structures is also affected by the number
of double bonds and the order of the double bonds. For example,
the nitrate ion is more stable than the nitrite ion because it has
one more double bond.

Here are some additional factors that can affect resonance in organic
chemistry:

• The presence of heteroatoms, such as oxygen or nitrogen, can

stabilize resonance structures.
• The presence of electron-withdrawing groups can destabilize
resonance structures.
• The presence of electron-donating groups can stabilize
resonance structures.