In the resonance hybrid of the phenoxide ion (), generated by the robust effect of the negatively charged oxygen atom, exactly how many distinct carbon atoms within the aromatic ring acquire a formal

Question

In the resonance hybrid of the phenoxide ion ($C_6H_5O^-$), generated by the robust $+M$ effect of the negatively charged oxygen atom, exactly how many distinct carbon atoms within the aromatic ring acquire a formal partial negative charge?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: 3. When drawing the canonical structures for the phenoxide ion, the negative charge from the oxygen atom delocalizes into the ring via -overlap. This places a full formal negative charge strictly on the two ortho carbon atoms and the one para carbon atom. Thus, 3 distinct carbon atoms are affected.

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