Chapter 7.6, Problem 5P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The given species should be identified in the decreasing order of delocalization energy.

Concept Introduction:

Delocalization energy: It is a measure of how much more stable a compound with delocalized electrons is than it would be if its electrons were localized.  The greater the number of relatively stable resonance contributors, the greater the delocalization energy.

Resonance Contributor: The appropriate structure with the localized electrons is called a resonance contributor, a resonance structure, or a contributing resonance structure.

Delocalized electrons: The sharing of electrons between two or more atoms known as delocalization of electrons.  In order to have delocalized electrons, the system must be planar and have alternative double bonds and single bonds.

Resonance hybrid: the actual structure with delocalized electrons is called a resonance hybrid.