Why are pi bonds delocalized?

Answer 1

Sarah Angotti

π Bonds are delocalized because their elections are not confined to a single atom.

For example, consider the π bond in ethylene.

Before the #"p"# orbitals overlap, the #"p"# electrons are confined to (or "localized" on) each carbon atom.

However, the electrons in the π bond are free to roam over both carbon atoms.

That is, the electrons in the π bond are "delocalized".

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Answer 2

Lucy Alessi

Pi bonds are delocalized because the electrons in a pi bond are not confined to the space between two specific atoms but instead move freely above and below the internuclear axis, allowing for delocalization across multiple adjacent atomic orbitals.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.