https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.08205
One of at least two Lewis structures, with fixed single, double, and triple bonds, that is a contributing structure to the valence-bond wavefunction of a molecule that cannot be described by a single Lewis structure.
Notes:
- Although the valence-bond wavefunction is a linear combination of the wavefunctions of the individual resonance forms, the coefficients and the relative contributions of the various resonance forms are usually kept qualitative. For example, the major resonance forms for the conjugate base of acetone are
and , with the former contributing more. - Resonance forms are connected by a double-headed arrow (
). This must not be confused with the double arrow connecting species in equilibrium ( ).