resonance energy

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05333
The difference in potential energy between the actual @M03986@ and the @C01309@ of lowest potential energy. The @R05326@ energy cannot be measured, but only estimated, since contributing structures are not observable molecular entities.
See:
contributing structure
,
molecular entity
,
resonance
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. (Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)) on page 1161 [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