Engineering
Chemistry
Carbocation
Question
The relative stabilities of the following carbocations is :
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Solution
Carbocation stability depends on hyperconjugation and resonance. More alkyl groups or resonance structures increase stability.
Carbocation I is tertiary and benzylic (most stable). Carbocation II is tertiary. Carbocation III is secondary but allylic (resonance stabilized). Carbocation IV is secondary (least stable).
Order: I (tertiary benzylic) > II (tertiary) > III (secondary allylic) > IV (secondary).
Final answer: I > II > III > IV