See image — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

# Carbocation Stability Analysis These are all **carbocations** (positively charged carbon species). Stability depends on alkyl group substitution at the positive carbon. ## Carbocation Classification: **(1)** $CH_3-\overset{\oplus}{CH}-CH_3$ → **Secondary carbocation** (2° C⁺ with 2 alkyl groups) **(2)** $CH_3-CH_2-\overset{\oplus}{CH_2}$ → **Primary carbocation** (1° C⁺ with 1 alkyl group) **(3)** $CH_3-\overset{\oplus}{C}-CH_3$ with $CH_3$ → **Tertiary carbocation** (3° C⁺ with 3 alkyl groups) | $CH_3$ **(4)** Similar structure with phenyl group → **Tertiary carbocation stabilized by resonance** ## Stability Order: $$\text{3° > 2° > 1°}$$ - **Tertiary** (3, 4): Most stable due to maximum alkyl group donation and hyperconjugation - **Secondary** (1): Moderately stable - **Primary** (2): **Least stable** — only one alkyl group to stabilize the positive charge; minimal hyperconjugation and inductive stabilization **Answer: (2) is the least stable primary carbocation.**