What is a delocalized pi bond?

1 Answer
Nov 20, 2016

A delocalized π bond is a π bond in which the electrons are free to move over more than two nuclei.

Explanation:

In a molecule like ethylene, the electrons in the π bond are constrained to the region between the two carbon atoms.

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We say that the π electrons are localized.

Even in penta-1,4-diene, the π electrons are still localized.

The #"CH"_2# group between the two π orbitals prevents them from overlapping.

Delocalization
(From iverson.cm.utexas.edu)

However, in buta-1,3-diene, the two orbitals can overlap, and the π electrons are free to spread over all four carbon atoms.

We say that these π electrons are delocalized.

In benzene, the π electrons are delocalized over all six atoms of the ring.

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In β-carotene, the π electrons are delocalized over 22 carbon atoms!

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