Why does the arenium ion intermediate (Wheland intermediate) possess a substantial positive charge d — Aromatic Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Once the electrophile attacks, one carbon becomes $sp^3$ hybridized. The remaining five $p$ -orbitals remain conjugated. The 4 remaining $\pi$ electrons are delocalized across these five $p$ -orbitals, effectively spreading the positive charge over the ortho and para positions relative to the $sp^3$ carbon, generating 3 primary resonance structures.