To determine which carbocation is the most stable, we need to consider the structural factors that affect carbocation stability. The stability of carbocations generally increases with the number of alkyl groups attached to the positively charged carbon, due to hyperconjugation and the inductive effect. Let's analyze each of the given carbocations:
\((CH_3)_3C.C^+H_2\): This is a primary carbocation, having the positive charge on a carbon attached to only one carbon group.
\((CH_3)_3C^+\): This is a tertiary carbocation. The positive charge is stabilized by three alkyl (methyl) groups through hyperconjugation and the inductive effect.
\(CH_3CH_2C^+H_2\): This is a primary carbocation, with one alkyl group donating electron density.
\(CH_3C^+H CH_2CH\): This is a secondary carbocation, having two alkyl groups attached.
In terms of stability, tertiary carbocations are more stable than secondary, which in turn are more stable than primary carbocations. This is due to the increasing number of hyperconjugating structures and electron-donating inductive effects from the methyl groups, which help to stabilize the positive charge.
Thus, the most stable carbocation among the options given is the tertiary carbocation: \((CH_3)_3C^+\).
Organic Chemistry – Some Basic Principles and Techniques - Reaction Mechanism
SN1 Reaction Mechanism:
SN1 reaction mechanism takes place by following three steps –
Formation of carbocation
Attack of nucleophile
Deprotonation
SN2 Reaction Mechanism:
The SN2 reaction mechanism involves the nucleophilic substitution reaction of the leaving group (which generally consists of halide groups or other electron-withdrawing groups) with a nucleophile in a given organic compound.
