Resonance Structures of Phenol

Hard Organic Chemistry Structure And Bonding

In organic chemistry, understanding the stability of different resonance structures is crucial for predicting the behavior of molecules. Consider a phenol (C₆H₅OH) molecule and its ability to stabilize charge through resonance. Which of the following resonance structures accurately depicts the major contributing structure of phenol, considering the delocalization of electrons?

C6H5O- with a positive charge on the ortho carbon

C6H5O with a delocalized double bond between the oxygen and an adjacent carbon

C6H5O+ with a negative charge on the para carbon

C6H5OH with oxygen as part of a carbonyl-like structure

Hint

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