Question

What is the resonance structure for benzyl alcohol ( $ {C_6}{H_5}C{H_2}OH $ ) $ ? $

Answer 1

Hint: First we have to know that resonance structures are sets of Lewis structures that describe the delocalization of electrons in a molecule. Benzyl alcohol is an organic compound and it is a colourless, slightly aromatic liquid at standard conditions.

Complete answer:
In resonance structures, the electrons are able to move to help stabilize the molecule. This movement of the electrons is called delocalization. All resonance structures must follow the rules of writing Lewis-structure. The hybridization of the structure must stay the same. The skeleton of the structure cannot be changed (only the electrons move).
Benzyl alcohol is a compound consisting of a hydroxyl group attached to a methyl group by replacing one of the hydrogens by a hydroxyl group. The resonance structure of a $ {C_6}{H_5}C{H_2}OH $ molecule is illustrated below.

Here, the pi electrons in the benzene ring are delocalized due to resonance.

Additional Information:
Benzyl alcohol is prepared by using sodium hydroxide in the hydrolysis of benzyl chloride which gives benzyl alcohol and sodium chloride as the products. The chemical equation for this reaction written as follows
 $ NaOH + {C_6}{H_5}C{H_2}Cl \to NaCl + {C_6}{H_5}C{H_2}OH $

Note:
In many cases, a single Lewis structure fails to explain the bonding in a molecule due to the presence of partial charges and fractional bonds in it. In such cases, resonance structures are used to describe chemical bonding. Also note that resonance structures should have the same number of electrons, do not add or subtract any electrons.