Question

Which of the following is the most stable carbocation?

Options

• \[\ce{\overset{⊕}{C}H3}\]

• \[\ce{CH3-\overset{⊕}{C}H2}\]

• \[\begin{array}{cc}
  \phantom{........}\ce{O}\\
  \phantom{........}||\\
  \ce{CH3 - \underset{⊕}{C}}
  \end{array}\]

• \[\begin{array}{cc}
  \ce{CH3}\phantom{.......}\\
  \backslash\phantom{...}\\
  \ce{CH3 - C - \overset{⊕}{C}H2}\\
  /\phantom{...}\\
  \ce{CH3}\phantom{.......}
  \end{array}\]

Answer 1

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\phantom{........}\ce{O}\\
\phantom{........}||\\
\ce{CH3 - \underset{⊕}{C}}
\end{array}\]

Explanation:

The carbocation that is bound to a hetero atom with a single electron pair is more than just a homoatomic attachment.