What is resonance hybrid?

A resonance hybrid is a concept used in chemistry to describe the actual electronic structure of a molecule or ion that is intermediate between two or more Lewis structures, known as resonance structures. Resonance structures are different representations of a molecule or ion that arise from the delocalization of electrons within the molecule or ion.

In a resonance hybrid, the true electronic structure is considered to be a combination or "hybrid" of the various resonance structures. It's important to note that resonance structures themselves are not real representations of the molecule's structure but rather theoretical constructs used to describe the delocalization of electrons.

The resonance hybrid provides a more accurate depiction of the distribution of electrons in the molecule or ion, accounting for the contributions of all the resonance structures. This concept is particularly important in understanding the stability, reactivity, and bonding in molecules and ions, especially in organic chemistry and in the study of aromatic compounds.