1. Which is the most stable cation and which is the least stable cation? Cation
ID: 849290 • Letter: 1
Question
1. Which is the most stable cation and which is the least stable cation?
Cation 2 is most stable; cation 3 is least stable.
Cation 3 is most stable; cation 2 is least stable.
Cation 1 is most stable; cation 2 is least stable.
Cation 2 is most stable; cation 1 is least stable.
Cation 1 is most stable; cation 3 is least stable.
Cation 3 is most stable; cation 1 is least stable
a.Cation 2 is most stable; cation 3 is least stable.
b.Cation 3 is most stable; cation 2 is least stable.
c.Cation 1 is most stable; cation 2 is least stable.
d.Cation 2 is most stable; cation 1 is least stable.
e.Cation 1 is most stable; cation 3 is least stable.
f.Cation 3 is most stable; cation 1 is least stable
Explanation / Answer
The stability order of carbocations bearing only alkyl groups is
3o > 2o > 1o > CH3. where o=degrees
Cation stability is influenced by three factors:
a) Hyperconjugation:
Increasing the number of alkyl substituents increases the stability of the carbocation. This is due to orbital overlap between the ? bond and the empty p orbital on the sp2 carbon.
b) Inductive Effects:
Neighbouring alkyl groups contain electrons that are polarizable, and these can shift towards the positive charge. (Small Hydrogen substituents cannot do this as well).
c) Resonance Effects:
Conjugation with a multiple bond or lone pairs of electrons increase the stability of a carbocation.
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