Question

Why is Tertiary carbocation more stable than secondary?

Answer 1

Carbocation:

A carbocation is a molecule in which a carbon atom has a positive charge and three bonds. They are of three types,

1. Primary carbocation
2. Secondary carbocation
3. Tertiary carbocation

A tertiary carbocation is more stable than secondary carbocation because:

• Tertiary carbocations include three alkyl groups, whereas secondary carbocations contain just two alkyl groups.
• Thus, tertiary carbocation is more stable than secondary carbocation, according to the inductive effect.
• In tertiary carbocation, there are nine hyperconjugation structures, whereas, in secondary carbocation, there are only six.
• Thus, tertiary carbocation is more stable than secondary carbocation, according to the Hyperconjugation effect.
• As a result, tertiary carbocation is more stable than secondary carbocation.