Question detail

Which of the following statements is true regarding carbocation stability?

Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.

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At a glance

MCQ

Type

practice

Style

Topic

Alkenes

Question

A. Tertiary carbocations are less stable than primary.
B. Secondary carbocations are more stable than tertiary.
C. Primary carbocations are the most stable.
D. Tertiary carbocations are the most stable.

Answer

Tertiary carbocations are the most stable.

Explanation

Tertiary carbocations are the most stable due to the presence of three alkyl groups that provide electron-donating effects, reducing the positive charge's impact and stabilizing the carbocation.

Common mistake

Misunderstanding Carbocation Stability

Students often confuse the stability of carbocations, thinking that all carbocations are equally stable regardless of their structure.

To explain carbocation stability, remember that tertiary carbocations are more stable than secondary, which are more stable than primary. This is due to the inductive effect and hyperconjugation from surrounding alkyl groups. For example, a tertiary carbocation (R3C+) is stabilized by three alkyl groups donating electron density, while a primary carbocation (RCH2+) is only stabilized by one. Thus, when predicting the major product of an electrophilic addition reaction, consider the stability of the carbocation formed during the reaction.

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