Question:

Which of the following is the most stable carbocation?
 

Updated On: Apr 3, 2025
  • most stable carbocation
  • most stable carbocation
  • most stable carbocation
  • most stable carbocation
  • most stable carbocation

Hide Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Carbocations are positively charged species with a carbon atom bearing only six electrons. Carbocation stability is influenced primarily by two factors:

Inductive Effect: Alkyl groups are electron-donating groups due to the inductive effect (release of electrons through sigma bonds). The more alkyl groups attached to the carbocation carbon, the more the positive charge is dispersed, and the more stable the carbocation becomes.

Hyperconjugation: This is the stabilizing interaction that results from the interaction of the electrons in a sigma bond (usually C-H or C-C) with an adjacent empty (or partially filled) p-orbital. The more alkyl groups attached to the carbocation carbon, the more hyperconjugation possible, increasing stability.

Order of Carbocation Stability:

Tertiary (3°) > Secondary (2°) > Primary (1°) > Methyl

  • Tertiary (3°): The carbocation carbon is attached to three other carbon atoms.
  • Secondary (2°): The carbocation carbon is attached to two other carbon atoms.
  • Primary (1°): The carbocation carbon is attached to one other carbon atom.

Methyl: The carbocation carbon is attached to no other carbon atoms.

Analyzing the Given Carbocations:

  • (A) CH3-CH2+: This is a primary carbocation.
  • (B) CH3+: This is a methyl carbocation.
  • (C) CH3-CH+-CH3: This is a secondary carbocation.
  • (D) (CH3)3C+: This is a tertiary carbocation.
  • (E) CH3-CH2-CH2+: This is a primary carbocation.

Therefore, the most stable carbocation is (D) (CH3)3C+ (the tertiary carbocation).

Was this answer helpful?
0
0

Concepts Used:

Organic Chemistry - Some Basic Principles and Techniques

Organic Chemistry is a subset of chemistry dealing with compounds of carbon. Therefore, we can say that Organic chemistry is the chemistry of carbon compounds and is 200-225 years old. Carbon forms bond with itself to form long chains of hydrocarbons, e.g.CH4, methane and CH3-CH3 ethane. Carbon has the ability to form carbon-carbon bonds quite elaborately. Polymers like polyethylene is a linear chain where hundreds of CH2 are linked together. 

Read Also: Organic Compounds

Importance of Organic Chemistry:

Organic chemistry is applicable in a variety of areas including-

  • Medicines: Example- Aspirin which is a headache medicine and Ibuprofen is a painkiller, both are organic compounds. Other examples include paracetamol.
  • Food: Example- Starch which is a carbohydrate is an organic compound and a constituent of rice and other grains. It is the source of energy.
  • Clothing: Example- Nylon, Polyester and Cotton are forms of organic compounds.
  • Fuels: Examples- Gasoline, Petrol and Diesel are organic compounds used in the automobile industry at large.