carbocation stability

Question

Correct order of carbocation stability:

RankGuru · Accepted Answer

1. **Carbocation Stability**: Factors that stabilize the positive charge on carbon include the inductive effect ($+I$) and hyperconjugation.
2. **Inductive Effect**: Alkyl groups are electron-donating, helping to neutralize and spread the positive charge.
3. **Hyperconjugation**: Also known as 'no-bond resonance', it involves the overlap of $\sigma$-orbitals of $C-H$ bonds with the empty $p$-orbital of the carbocation.
4. **Counting $\alpha$-hydrogens**:
   - **Tertiary** ($(CH_3)_3C^+$): $9$ $\alpha$-hydrogens.
   - **Secondary** ($(CH_3)_2CH^+$): $6$ $\alpha$-hydrogens.
   - **Primary** ($CH_3CH_2^+$): $3$ $\alpha$-hydrogens.
   - **Methyl** ($CH_3^+$): $0$ $\alpha$-hydrogens.
5. **Conclusion**: Order is **$3^\circ > 2^\circ > 1^\circ >$ Methyl**.

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The order of stability of carbocations is: