Question

A carbocation is an example of a(an) ____. Does a carbocation accept a pair of electrons, or does it donate a pair of electrons?

A. Electrophile. The carbocation accepts a pair of electrons.
B. Nucleophile. The carbocation accepts a pair of electrons.
C. Electrophile. The carbocation donates a pair of electrons.
D. Nucleophile. The carbocation donates a pair of electrons.

Answer 1

Option A. The carbocation accepts a pair of electrons.

Step-by-step explanation:

A carbocation is defined as a positively charged carbon, which is bound to 3 substituents. Since it has no electrons nonbonding, it only has six electrons in its valence shell. With only six electrons in its valence shell, a carbocation is a powerful electrophile (and Lewis acid) and can react with any nucleophile that is found.

Carbocations are proposed as intermediates in many organic reactions. They also work like free radicals, which are electron-deficient species.

Same as free radicals, the carbocations are stabilized by alkyl substituents.