Question

In the following carbocation, hybridization of the positively charged carbon is $s{p}^x$. What is $x$?

Answer 1

The hybridization of carbocation is $s{p}^2$. For a carbocation to be formed, the carbon atom must lose one electron. Thus the carbon atom has three bonded pair of electrons and no lone electrons. In CH+3CH3+, for example, the carbon has only three sigma bonds. Thus it is $s{p}^2$ sp2hybridized. Since the fourth pair of electrons is nonexistent, it is impossible to be $s{p}^3$sp3 hybridized.