mesomerism

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03845
Essentially synonymous with @R05326@. The term is particularly associated with the picture of π-electrons as less localized in an actual molecule than in a @L03513@. The term is intended to imply that the correct representation of a structure is intermediate between two or more Lewis formulae.
See also:
aromatic (Def. 2)
,
delocalization
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. (Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)) on page 1139 [Terms] [Paper]
Cite as: IUPAC. Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book"). Compiled by A. D. McNaught and A. Wilkinson. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford (1997). Online version (2019-) created by S. J. Chalk. ISBN 0-9678550-9-8. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.
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Last revised: February 24, 2014