While benzyl carbocations are resonance stabilized, the tertiary butyl carbocation () is found to be — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question
Question
While benzyl carbocations are resonance stabilized, the tertiary butyl carbocation ($(CH_3)_3C^+$) is found to be exceptionally stable, even more so than the benzyl carbocation. What is the primary reason for this?
Answer: B
💡 Solution & Explanation
In the tertiary butyl carbocation, the presence of 9 $\alpha$ -hydrogen atoms contributes towards extensive hyperconjugation (9 hyperconjugative structures). This massive delocalization of $\sigma$ electrons makes it even more stable than the benzyl carbocation.
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