n.
Interaction of adjacent bonds in a chemical compound having alternating single and double covalent bond s.
The conjugated bonds show modified characteristics because of increased electron delocalization and sharing. Conjugation occurs, for example, within a molecule containing a chain of carbon atoms linked by alternating single and double bonds. Such a conjugated system often gives rise to substances with intense colours
e.g., the biological pigments called carotene s. Another example is the carboxyl group (see carboxylic acid ; functional group ), in which the double bond of the carbonyl group ( 2015; C 003D; O) is adjacent to the single bond attaching the hydroxyl group ( 2015; OH) to the carbon atom.