In chemistry, delocalized electrons are electrons in a molecule, ion or solid metal that are not associated with a single atom or a covalent bond.[1]
The term delocalization is general and can have slightly different meanings in different fields:
- In organic chemistry, it refers to resonance in conjugated systems and aromatic compounds.
- In solid-state physics, it refers to free electrons that facilitate electrical conduction.
- In quantum chemistry, it refers to molecular orbital electrons that have extended over several adjacent atoms.
- ^ IUPAC Gold Book delocalization