Next page resonance phenomenon

We don t usually look to aromatic systems for examples of inductive effects, because the pi system of electrons is ripe for resonance effects. However, in analyzing the resonance forms of phenoxide on the next page, it becomes apparent that the negative charge is never distributed on the meta carbons. Meta substituents cannot exert any resonance stabilization or destabilization at the meta position, substituents can exert only an inductive effect. The series of phenols demonstrates this phenomenon, consistent with aliphatic carboxylic acids. 

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See also in sourсe #XX -- [ , , ]

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