Carbocation

A carbocation is a species containing a carbon atom that lacks an octet of valence electrons and bears a formal charge of +1.

eg:

Some carbocations are resonance stabilized, in which case some or all resonance forms of the species fit the above definition.

eg:

see also alkyl carbocation, allylic carbocation, benzylic carbocation, acylium ion, alkenyl carbocation, aryl carbocation

Contributors and Attributions

• Gamini Gunawardena from the OChemPal site (Utah Valley University)