Chapter 7, Problem 7.40P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Which of the carbocation rearrangements from Problem 7.36 will produce a significantly more stable carbocation than the reactant is to be determined.

Concept introduction:

The stability of carbocations depends on the number of alkyl groups attached to the carbon bearing the charge. The stability of different types of carbocations increases in the order ${\text{methyl < primary (1}}^{\text{o}}{\text{) < secondary (2}}^{\text{o}}{\text{) < tertiary (3}}^{\text{o}}\text{)}$.

Apart from the nature of the carbon bearing the charge, the stability is also affected by resonance. The larger the number of atoms over which the charge is delocalized, the higher the stability.