The triphenylmethyl cation is so stable that some of its salts can be stored for months. Explain why this cation is so stable.

Rank the following carbocations in order of stability (1 = most stable; 5 = least stable ). Explain your order.

Identify the more stable carbocation in each pair.

(a)

Identify the more stable carbocation in each pair.

(b)

Which of the carbocations in part a is most stable?

1. the isobutyl cation?

2. the n-butyl cation?

3. the sec-butyl cation?

For each set of reactive intermediates, rank them in order of reactivity (1 = most reactive).

(a)

List the following carbocations in decreasing order of their stability.

Which is more stable: a methyl cation or an ethyl cation? Why?

Rank the following carbocations in each set from most stable to least stable:

b.