3.
(a) Describe the differences between a carbocation and a carbanion.

(b) Why is a secondary carbocation more stable than a primary carbocation, while a secondary carbanion is less stable than a primary carbanion?



Answer :

Final answer:

Carbocations and carbanions differ in charge and stability due to hyperconjugation and inductive effects. Secondary carbocations are more stable than primary ones, while secondary carbanions are less stable than primary carbanions.


Explanation:

Carbocation is a positively charged carbon atom due to the lack of an electron pair, while carbanion is a negatively charged carbon atom with an extra electron pair.

Secondary carbocations are more stable than primary carbocations because they have more hyperconjugation and inductive effects to stabilize the positive charge. In contrast, secondary carbanions are less stable than primary carbanions due to increased steric hindrance and less hyperconjugation support for the negative charge.


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