Question

The stability of the following carbocation arises from hyperconjugation with ........... number of hydrogen atoms. 

Hint:

Hyperconjugation stabilizes carbocations by delocalizing electrons from adjacent C-H or C-C bonds to the empty p-orbital of the carbocation.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 6

Step 1: Understanding hyperconjugation. 
Hyperconjugation is the delocalization of electrons from a sigma bond (usually C-H or C-C) to an adjacent empty or partially filled p-orbital or an antibonding orbital. This phenomenon stabilizes the carbocation by dispersing the positive charge over adjacent atoms.

Step 2: Analyzing the given carbocation. 
The carbocation provided is a methyl-substituted species, where the positive charge is located on the carbon attached to the methyl group. The stability of this carbocation can be enhanced by the hyperconjugation involving the hydrogen atoms of the adjacent carbon atoms.

Step 3: Counting the number of hydrogen atoms involved in hyperconjugation. 
The adjacent carbons to the carbocation each have three hydrogens. Since there are two such carbons, the total number of hydrogen atoms involved in hyperconjugation is: \[ 3 \, (\text{hydrogens from one carbon}) + 3 \, (\text{hydrogens from the other carbon}) = 6 \]

Step 4: Conclusion. 
Thus, the stability of the carbocation arises from hyperconjugation with 6 hydrogen atoms, and the correct answer is 6.