Listed below are pairs of carbonium ions, which are interconvertible by a hydride shift. Tell for each pair in which case B → A rearrangement takes place.
A | B | |
I st Pair | Me2CHCH2+ | |
IInd Pair | MeCH2CH2+ | |
IIIrd Pair |
IIIrd Pair
This question involves understanding carbocation stability and hydride shift rearrangements. A hydride shift (H⁻ shift) occurs when a hydrogen atom with its bonding electrons moves from one carbon to an adjacent carbocation to form a more stable carbocation. The rearrangement from B → A will occur if the carbocation A is more stable than carbocation B.
Key stability order for carbocations:
Tertiary (3°) > Secondary (2°) > Primary (1°) > Methyl
Step 1: Analyze Each Pair
First Pair:
A: Me₂CHCH₂⁺ (isobutyl cation) – This is a primary carbocation.
B: Me₃C⁺ (tert-butyl cation) – This is a tertiary carbocation.
Since tertiary is more stable than primary, the rearrangement B → A will NOT occur (it would actually be A → B).
Second Pair:
A: MeCH₂CH₂⁺ (n-propyl cation) – This is a primary carbocation.
B: Me₂CH⁺ (isopropyl cation) – This is a secondary carbocation.
Since secondary is more stable than primary, the rearrangement B → A will NOT occur (it would be A → B).
Third Pair:
Let's write the structures clearly. The formatting in the question is slightly ambiguous but can be interpreted.
A: MeCH₂CH₂C⁺HCH₃ – This is . The carbocation carbon is bonded to one carbon and two hydrogens, making it a primary carbocation.
B: MeCH₂CH₂CH₂C⁺H₂ – This is . The carbocation carbon is bonded to no other carbons (only to two H's), making it a methyl carbocation (even less stable than primary).
A primary carbocation is more stable than a methyl carbocation. Therefore, the rearrangement B → A WILL occur to form the more stable ion.
Final Answer: The rearrangement B → A takes place only in the 3rd Pair.
Carbocation Stability: The stability of carbocations increases with the number of alkyl groups attached to the positively charged carbon due to the electron-donating inductive effect and hyperconjugation. The order is 3° > 2° > 1° > CH₃⁺.
Rearrangements: Carbocations can undergo rearrangements (like hydride or alkyl shifts) to form more stable carbocations. This is a key concept in reaction mechanisms, especially in SN1 reactions and electrophilic additions to alkenes.