How Does Conjugation Lower Energy and Increase Stability in Aromatic Compounds?

[Johnleprekan]

Can someone explain, possibly in layman's terms, how conjugation such as with aromatic compounds lowers the overall energy; making it more stable?

Could someone also explain why aromatic compounds are more stable than through conjugation alone and what the difference is?

 

[gfd43tg]

It has more resonance structures

 

[Johnleprekan]

Can you explain how resonance structures work?

 

[gfd43tg]

Basically, molecules have electrons that are moving around, so the resonance structure tries to capture the fact that electrons are all around the molecule, and sometimes more electrons are near a certain element within the molecule.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resonance_structure

More resonance structures means that the electrons are more spread out, so the molecule is more stable.