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Developing a Holistic Understanding of Hybridization and Resonance

By Manisha Nigam

Developing a Holistic Understanding of  Hybridization and Resonance


 

Abstract

This case study is the result of the author's efforts to help students master the complex concept of resonance by unifying multiple concepts across general chemistry and organic chemistry courses. Resonance is a key building block for students' understanding of acids and bases, stabilization of reactive intermediates, and all aromatic reactions of benzene and its derivatives in organic chemistry. This case presents a set of problems that challenges students to think holistically about the concept of resonance together with the concepts of Lewis dot structure, formal charge, and hybridization. This approach, which has been successfully implemented within the curriculum of a first-semester organic chemistry course, can also be adapted for a general chemistry course. An answer key is included within the teaching notes.

   

Date Posted

11/08/2016

Overview

Objectives

  • Correctly use arrows to draw all important resonance structures.
  • Identify major (extra stable) resonance structures and identify why a particular structure is major.
  • Assign correct hybridization to all non-hydrogen atoms.
  • Improve understanding of conjugation, acids and bases; stabilization of reactive intermediates; and mechanisms of reaction of benzene and its derivatives.

Keywords

Lewis structure; formal charge; hybridization; resonance; conjugation; stabilization; reduction

  

Subject Headings

Chemistry (General)
Organic Chemistry

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

Undergraduate lower division

  

FORMAT

PDF

   

TOPICAL AREAS

N/A

   

LANGUAGE

English

   

TYPE/METHODS

Directed

 

 

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