Consider a standard, localized methyl carbanion (). What is the total number of unshared electrons ( — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question
Question
Consider a standard, localized methyl carbanion ($CH_3^-$). What is the total number of unshared electrons (lone pair electrons) present on the central carbon atom?
Answer: 2
💡 Solution & Explanation
A carbanion is generated when a carbon atom retains both electrons from a cleaved bond. It forms three $\sigma$ bonds (6 shared electrons) and retains one unshared lone pair (2 electrons), making the total number of unshared electrons exactly 2.
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