Question

Rank the carbocations below in terms of increasing stability:

Short answer

a)

b)

c)

Step-by-step solution

 Step 1: Stability of carbocation

Stability of carbocation can be described as a greater number of alkyl groups attached to it.

The following order has been given to describe the stability of carbocation.

The stability of carbocation also depends on the number of hydrogen atoms present for hyperconjugation. Electron donating groups increase the stability of carbocation while electron withdrawing groups decrease stability of the carbocation.

Comparison of stability of carbocation

The tertiary carbocation will be the most stable, followed by the secondary carbocation and lastly the primary carbocation.

Comparison of stability of carbocation

The tertiary carbocation will be the most stable, followed by the secondary carbocation and lastly the primary carbocation.

Comparison of stability of carbocation

The tertiary carbocation will be the most stable, followed by the secondary carbocation and lastly the primary carbocation.