Question

Draw the resonating structures of aniline.

Answer 1

Hint:The resonance structures of aniline are drawn by first displacing the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen to the bond between C and N. This results in formation of a double bond between C and N with N getting a positive charge due to the donation of electrons.

Complete answer:
- Aniline has the chemical formula $C_6{H}_{5}N{H}_2$ . It is an organic compound that consists of a phenyl group attached to an amine group.
- Aniline is considered to be the simplest aromatic amine.
- Aniline has the odour of a rotten fish.
- Aniline has 5 resonating structures. The resonance structures of aniline are

- The resonance structures of aniline are obtained by first displacing the lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen to the C –N bond. This results in the formation of a double bond between C and N with N getting a positive charge due to the donation of electrons.
- The valency of C is 4. This means that C can form 4 bonds. As C-1 already had 4 bonds, the electrons on the C=C pi bond move to the adjacent C-2 atom and the C-2 atom gets a negative charge. This is how the second structure is formed.
- Similarly, the negative on the C-2 atom will displace to the adjacent bond. The pi electrons on the adjacent bond then move to the C-4 atom and it gets a negative charge. This is how the third structure is formed.
- Next, the negative on the C-4 atom will displace to the adjacent bond. The pi electrons on the adjacent bond then move to C-6 atom and it gets a negative charge. This is how the fourth structure is formed.
- Finally, the negative on the C-6 atom will displace to the adjacent bond. The pi electrons on the C=N bond then move to N atom. This is how the fifth structure is formed.
- Hence, there are five resonating structures of aniline.

Additional Information:
- Aniline has a wide range of uses.
- It is used in rubber accelerators and antioxidants.
- Aniline is also an ingredient in dyes
- It is used in pharmaceuticals and petroleum refining.
- It is used in the industrial production of diphenylamine, herbicides and fungicides.

Note:
Be careful while drawing the resonating structures and remember that only pi electrons and lone pairs can be delocalised. Only five structures of aniline exist in its resonating form.