Question detail
Which statement best describes the stability of carbocations formed during electrophilic addition to alkenes?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Alkenes
Question
- A. Tertiary carbocations are more stable than secondary carbocations.
- B. Primary carbocations are more stable than tertiary carbocations.
- C. All carbocations are equally stable regardless of their structure.
- D. Secondary carbocations are the least stable type of carbocation.
Answer
Tertiary carbocations are more stable than secondary carbocations.
Explanation
The cause is the degree of alkyl substitution around the positively charged carbon in carbocations. The mechanism involves the electron-donating effect of alkyl groups, which stabilize the positive charge. The effect is that tertiary carbocations, having three alkyl groups, are more stable than secondary carbocations, which have only two. The consequence is that reactions involving alkenes often lead to the formation of the more stable tertiary carbocation, influencing the major product formed.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Electrophile Attack
Students often think that the C=C bond is attacked by electrophiles because it is simply a double bond without understanding the role of electron density.
The C=C bond has a high electron density due to the presence of pi bonds, which attracts electrophiles. This attraction occurs because electrophiles are electron-deficient species that seek out areas of high electron density. As a result, the C=C bond is susceptible to attack, leading to the formation of new products through electrophilic addition reactions.
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