Comments on: Drawing Resonance Structures: 3 Common Mistakes To Avoid

By: James Ashenhurst

James Ashenhurst — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 22:11:46 +0000

In reply to Bharath Hegde. The key thing is that you have to draw in the lone pair on nitrogen!

By: Bharath Hegde

Bharath Hegde — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 18:24:11 +0000

In reply to Mi. I still dont get it. The second one with oxygen in example 3 i get, as after donation of the only lone pair, the lone pair is still shown. But in the case of nitrogen, i dont seem to see the mistake. Nitrogen DOES have a lone pair initially doesnt it?

By: Mi

Mi — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 19:50:30 +0000

In reply to Mi. Aha, I figured it out. You DID answer it in the context afterward. Never mind. Thanks, Mi

By: Mi

Mi — Thu, 03 Oct 2013 19:40:04 +0000

Hi much appreciation on your work!!

But, just wanna clarify on your Example 3, I think they are technically ok for these two. Why you still say CLOSE but not quite? Do the N and O assumingly have lone pairs in these two cases? Would you clarify it? Thanks a bunch!

By: james

james — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 01:00:34 +0000

In reply to Alec.

Aw shoot! A mistake on the “common mistakes” post. Thanks – fixed

By: Alec

Alec — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 01:46:35 +0000

Hi! This site has been very helpful, and I appreciate the time you took to make these summaries.

I just have a question about A though. Wouldn’t the resonance structure on the right have a positive charge on the bottom carbon?

By: james

james — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 14:13:29 +0000

In reply to TomD. Oh snap. Thanks for the spot. Fixed!

By: TomD

TomD — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:14:27 +0000

So far I’m finding this to be a good site to recommend to my students. Good job!

[Your answer to “C” is missing a charge in the right-hand structure.]

By: james

james — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:59:18 +0000

In reply to mevans. Thanks for the spot! You're right, need to fix this.

By: mevans

mevans — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:40:37 +0000

Don’t mean to be a gadfly, but for the acylium ion in “close but no cigar,” doesn’t that depict illegal atomic movement? ;-) Great post, James. MANY instructors have been driven nuts by these mistakes (as I’m sure you’re aware). Be nice to your orgo professor next semester, kids, and avoid these common pitfalls!