Question

Arrange the following set of carbocations in order of decreasing stability. 

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (C), (A), (D), (B)
• B. (D), (A), (C), (B)
• C. (B), (A), (D), (C)
• D. (C), (B), (D), (A)

Hint:

Resonance stabilization significantly increases the stability of carbocations.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Carbocation Stability.
The stability of a carbocation increases with the degree of alkyl substitution and resonance stabilization. The most stable carbocation is the one with the highest resonance stabilization.

Step 2: Analysis of Options.
- (C) \(\text{C}_6\text{H}_5\) - \( \text{CH}_3^+ \) is the most stable due to resonance stabilization with the aromatic ring.
- (A) \(\text{C}_6\text{H}_5\) - \( \text{CH}_2^+ \) is slightly less stable than (C) because the methyl group in (C) offers more stabilization.
- (D) \(\text{C}_6\text{H}_5\) - \( \text{CH}_2^+ \) has less resonance stabilization.
- (B) \(\text{C}_6\text{H}_5\) - \( \text{CH}_2^+ \) is the least stable.

Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, the correct order of decreasing stability is (C), (A), (D), (B).

Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{(1) (C), (A), (D), (B)}} \]