https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.C01309
The definition is based on the @V06588@-bond formulation of the quantum mechanical idea of the wavefunction of a molecule as composed of a linear combination of wavefunctions, each representative of a formula containing bonds that are only single, double or triple with a particular pairing of electron spins. Each such formula represents a contributing structure, also called '@R05326@ structure' to the total wavefunction, and the degree to which each contributes is indicated by the square of its @C01124@ in the linear combination. The contributing structures, also called 'canonical forms', themselves thus have a purely formal significance: they are the components from which wavefunctions can be built. Structures may be covalent (or non-polar) or ionic (or polar). The representation is frequently kept qualitative so that we speak of important or major contributing structures and minor contributing structures. For example, two major non-equivalent contributing structures for the conjugate base of acetone are:
C01309.png
See also:
delocalization
, Kekulé structure
, resonance