Chapter 6, Problem 6.14YT

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The curved arrow notation for the conversion of one of the ethanoate anion’s resonance structures into the other and the resonance hybrid is to be drawn.

Concept introduction:

The curved arrow illustrates the electron movement necessary to change one resonance structure into another. The ethanoate anion has two resonance structures. Each resonance structure has a negative charge on a different oxygen atom. This indicates that the negative charge is delocalized over the two oxygen atoms. Since each oxygen has a $\text{-1}$ charge in one structure and a zero charge in the other, the resonance hybrid charge is represented by a partial negative charge symbol $\text{-δ}$.