Carbocation stability is primarily determined by the degree of alkyl substitution, resonance stabilization, and hyperconjugation. Tertiary carbocations are more stable than secondary and primary carbocations due to greater electron-donating effects and potential resonance structures.

Carbocation Stability

Carbocation stability

degree of alkyl substitution

Resonance stabilization refers to the delocalization of electrons across adjacent atoms in a molecule, which results in increased stability of the molecule. This phenomenon is crucial for understanding the behavior of many organic compounds and is often depicted using resonance structures that illustrate the different possible distributions of electrons.

resonance stabilization

Hyperconjugation is a stabilizing interaction that results from the delocalization of electrons in sigma bonds (usually C-H or C-C) with an adjacent empty or partially filled p-orbital or a pi-orbital. This phenomenon explains the stability of carbocations and alkenes, contributing to the understanding of molecular structure and reactivity.

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