Question

Explain the stability of tert-butyl cation, isopropyl cation, ethyl cation and methyl cation on the basis of hyperconjugation.

Answer 1

i. Greater the number of alkyl groups attached to a positively charged carbon atom, more is the number of α-hydrogens, more is the hyperconjugation structures and more is the stability of the cation.

ii. Thus, the relative stability of the cations decreases in the order:

3° carbocation > 2° carbocation > 1° carbocation > Methyl cation