Kekulé structures

Definition

Kekulé structures are ways of drawing organic molecules that emphasize the bonding between atoms using lines to represent chemical bonds. They help visualize the molecular structure by showing how atoms are connected in molecules, particularly useful for cyclic compounds like benzene.

Related terms

Covalent bond: A chemical bond formed when two atoms share a pair of electrons.

Benzene: A cyclic hydrocarbon with the formula C6H6, known for its resonance structures beyond its Kekulé form.

Resonance structure: Alternate ways of drawing a molecule that demonstrate delocalized electrons within certain molecules or ions that cannot be represented by a single Kekulé structure