Explain the important aspects of resonance with reference to the CO _{3}{ }^{2-} ion.
Explain the important aspects of resonance with reference to the CO _{3}{ }^{2-} ion.

Solution:

However, while the carbonate ion cannot be represented by a single structure, the properties of the ion can be described by two or more different resonance structures. The actual structure of the carbonate ion is a resonance hybrid of the structures that contributed to its formation. Each of the three bond lengths is equal in the resonance hybrid structure, and the bonds are intermediate in length between single and double bonds.