explain the structure of ethel carbocation
Answers
The ethyl carbocation (C2H5+) has a different structure than what you might have anticipated. It is a non-classical ion with a bridging hydrogen. For a description of just what a non-classical carbocation is see this answer. The hallmark of a non-classical ion is 3 atoms with 2 electrons spread over them. This is called a 3-center 2-electron bond (hypercoordinate bonding). In the case at hand the 3-atom 2-electron bond involves the 2 carbon atoms and the bridged hydrogen atom.
So there is no "methyl" group present in the ethyl carbocation that can inductively release electrons. Additionally, the hyperconjugated resonance structure you mentioned has actually been replaced by a hydrogen that is partially bonded to the other carbon atom.
The n-propyl carbocation would likely have a similar non-classical structure - if it existed at all. This carbocation has not been experimentally observed, it rearranges too rapidly to the much more stable 2-propyl carbocation.
