Carbocation Intermediates
Carbocations are common intermediates in organic chemistry. We have
encountered carbocations in [SN1] substitution and [E1] elimination.
Although carbocations are never present in very high concentrations
(because they are unstable and highly reactive), they do open up a
reaction pathway through which important chemistry ensues.
C
•6-electron species
•trigonal planar geometry
•sp2 hybridized
•empty p orbital on carbon
carbocation
CH H
H
methyl cation
bonds directly attached to
the carbocation do not
share their electron density
CH2CH
H
ethyl cation
bonds directly attached to a
carbocation substituent do
share their electron density
H
least stable carbocation stabilized by hyperconjugation
Carbocations have a carbon-
centered empty p-orbital
