Important Facts Flashcards
What must be true in order for two structures to be resonance structures of a molecule?
They must have the same number of electrons, they must have the same overall net charge, they must have the same number of unpaired electrons (no radicals lol), and the octet rule may not be exceeded.
What are the rules when determining the importance of resonance structures?
Firstly, the higher contributing resonance structure is the one who fulfills the octet rule with as many atoms as possible. Second, the more important resonance structure is the one with more covalent bonds. Third, it is the one who has the most minimized charges, and fourth, it has the more negative charges on the more electronegative atom.
Why is the chair conformation so stable?
Because the chair conformation of cyclohexane has no angle strain or tortional strain, it is completely gone. This is why cyclopropane is so unstable, because of the huge angle strain.
