NEET2026ChemistryGeneral Organic ChemistryActual
The following carbocation is stabilized by the interaction of the empty p orbital with
Options
- Aempty ^* and empty ^* orbitals
- Bfilled and filled orbitals
- Cempty and empty ^* orbitals
- Dempty ^* and filled orbitals
Correct answer
B. filled and filled orbitals
Step-by-step solution
The given carbocation has a positively charged carbon atom that is sp^2 hybridized, possessing an empty unhybridized p-orbital. This empty p-orbital is stabilized by hyperconjugation, where the filled C-H bonding orbitals of the adjacent methyl group overlap with the empty p-orbital to donate electron density. Additionally, it is stabilized by resonance, where the filled bonding orbitals of the adjacent benzene ring overlap with the empty p-orbital to delocalize electrons. Thus, the stabilization occurs through the