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Why is a carbocation #sp^2# hybridized around the central carbon?

Answer 1

This is a simple consequence of #"VSEPR........"#

#"VSEPR"#, #"valence shell electron pair repulsion theory"#, proposes that electron pairs around a central atom arrange themselves in the shapes of the Platonic solids, the which arrangement minimizes electrostatic repulsion between the bonding and lone pairs.

Three pairs of electrons are arranged in a trigonal plane, four pairs are arranged in a tetrahedron, and two pairs are disposed linearly.

Around the carbon in #""^+CR_3#, there are 3 bonding electron pairs, and thus the bond angle #/_R-C-R# is #120^@#. The boron halides and alkyls, are isoelectronic with #""^+CR_3#, tho here #BR_3# is neutral.

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Answer 2

Ryan Andrews

A carbocation is sp2 hybridized around the central carbon because it forms three sigma bonds, requiring three orbitals in a trigonal planar arrangement. The empty p orbital allows for resonance stabilization and contributes to the overall stability of the carbocation.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.