See image — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

**Step 1: Identify what "electron deficiency" means** Electron deficiency refers to the positive charge density on a carbon atom. A species with maximum electron deficiency has the most electron-poor (most positive) carbon center. **Step 2: Analyze carbocation stability** All options are carbocations (positively charged carbon). Stability depends on the number of alkyl groups attached to the charged carbon: - More alkyl groups → more electron donation → more stable but *less* electron-deficient - Fewer alkyl groups → less electron donation → less stable but *more* electron-deficient **Step 3: Count alkyl groups for each carbocation** - **(A) $(CH_3)_3C^⊕$** – Tertiary carbocation (3 alkyl groups on C⁺) - **(B) $CH_3\overset{⊕}{C}H_2$ – Primary carbocation (1 alkyl group on C⁺) - **(C) $(CH_3)_2\overset{⊕}{C}H$ – Secondary carbocation (2 alkyl groups on C⁺) - **(D) $\overset{⊕}{C}H_3$ – Methyl carbocation (0 alkyl groups on C⁺) **Step 4: Determine maximum electron deficiency** The methyl cation $\overset{⊕}{C}H_3$ has **no alkyl groups** donating electron density to the charged carbon. This makes it the most electron-deficient species, even though it's the least stable carbocation. **Answer: (D)** – The methyl carbocation is most electron-deficient because the central carbon has minimal electron density from neighboring groups.