Question

What are carbocations (carbonium ion)? Discuss their types.

Answer 1

Carbon atoms in an organic molecule positively charged and is called carbocation or carbonium ion. The valence electrons of the carbocations are six, which are electron deficient. This leads them unstable.  There are different types of carbocations. They are  

i) Alkyl carboncations.

ii) Carbocations formed by breakage of aldehydes, ketones and acetals.  

iii) Carbocations formed by the breakage of carboxylic acid with help of lewis acid catalyst  or called lewis carbocation .