What is the hybridisation state of the positively charged carbon in a benzyl carbonium ion? — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

The benzyl carbocation ($C_6H_5CH_2^+$) features a central positively charged carbon bonded to three other atoms (two hydrogens and one ring carbon) with zero lone pairs. Its steric number is 3, resulting in an $sp^2$ hybridized, trigonal planar geometry with an empty unhybridized p-orbital.