Resonance structures Aromatic ring structures, like benzene, have p-orbitals that overlap that are filled on one side and empty on the other The pi electrons that are in these p-orbitals can be shifted as seen through resonance structures Resonance structures are the same compound but with the electrons moved from one carbon to the other Since the pi electrons can freely move from one p-orbital to another, seen through the moving of bonds in a resonance structure, the electrons are considered to be delocalized http://www.armstrongwynne.org/benzene.html This image shows how the pi electrons of benzene can be moved around to form resonance structures. http://chemistry.gowengray.com/Tutorials/orbitals/c6h6keku.gif Shows the p-orbitals filled on one side but not on the other and how they overlap.