Comparison of Inductive and Mesomeric Effects :
| Inductive effect |
Mesomeric effect |
| 1. It operates in saturated group of compounds. |
It occurs in unsaturated and especially conjugated compounds. |
| 2. It involves electrons in \(\sigma\) bonds. |
It involves electrons in a bonds. |
| 3. The electron pair is only slightly displaced and thus only partial charges (represented by symbols \(\delta\)) are developed. |
The electron pair is transferred completely with the result full positive and negative charges are created. |
| 4. It is transmitted over only a quite short distance. |
It is transmitted from one end to the other of quite large molecules provided conjugation (ie. delocalised \(\pi\) orbitals) is present through which it can proceed. |
