Which is more stable carbonation ? #("CH"_3)_2"C"^"+""-F"# or #("CH"_3)_2"C"^"+""-CH"_3# And why ?

1 Answer
Ernest Z.
Jan 13, 2017

The more stable carbocation is #("CH"_3)_2 stackrelcolor(blue)("+")("C")"-CH"_3#.

Explanation:

The difference is in the #"F"# and the #"CH"_3# groups.

#"F"# is an electron withdrawing group, and #"CH"_3# is an electron donating group.

Donating electrons to a carbocation reduces its charge and makes it more stable.

∴ The second carbocation is more stable.

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