What is carbocation intermediate?

Question

Ruby Allen · Accepted Answer

A carbocation is an organic molecule, an intermediate, that has a carbon atom bearing a positive charge and three bonds instead of four.

A carbocation is an organic molecule, an intermediate, that has a carbon atom bearing a positive charge and three bonds instead of four. Since the charged carbon atom does not satisfy the octet rule, it is unstable and therefore highly reactive.

Carbonate ions are classified into primary #(1^o)#, secondary #(2^o)#and tertiary#(3^o)#

A primary carbocation has one carbon group attached to the carbon bearing the positive charge.
A secondary carbocation has two carbons attached to the carbon bearing the positive charge.
A Tertiary carbocation has three carbons attached to the carbon bearing the positive charge.)

Brooklyn Barber · Answer

undefined A carbocation intermediate is a positively charged carbon atom that contains only six electrons in its valence shell, making it electron deficient. It is formed during a chemical reaction when a bond between a carbon atom and a leaving group breaks, leaving the carbon atom with only three bonds and a vacant p orbital. This electron deficiency gives the carbocation a positive charge. Carbocation intermediates are highly reactive and can undergo further reactions, such as nucleophilic attack, to form new chemical bonds.