Mesomeric or Resonance Effect MCQ - Practice Questions & Answers

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Mesomeric or Resonance Effect

The resonance effect is defined as ‘the polarity produced in the molecule by the interaction of two π-bonds or between a π-bond and lone pair of electrons present on an adjacent atom’. The effect is transmitted through the chain. There are two types of resonance or mesomeric effects designated as R or M effects.

Positive Resonance Effect (+R effect): In this effect, the transfer of electrons is away from an atom or substituent group attached to the conjugated system. This electron displacement makes certain positions in the molecule of high electron densities. This effect in aniline is shown as:
Negative Resonance Effect (- R effect): This effect is observed when the transfer of electrons is towards the atom or substituent group attached to the conjugated system. For example, in nitrobenzene this electron displacement can be depicted as:

The atoms or substituent groups, which represent +R or –R electron displacement effects are as follows :

+R effect: $\mathrm{-\ddot{X}, - \ddot{O}H ,- \ddot{O}R ,- \ddot{O}COR ,- \ddot{H} _{2},- \ddot{N}HR ,- \ddot{N}R _{2},- \ddot{N}HCOR}$
– R effect: $\mathrm{- COOH ,- CHO ,{>C} = O ,- CN ,- NO _{2}, -SO_3H}$

The presence of alternate single and double bonds in an open-chain or cyclic system is termed as a conjugated system. These systems often show abnormal behaviour. The examples are 1,3- butadiene, aniline and nitrobenzene etc. In such systems, the π-electrons are delocalised and the system develops polarity.