JEE Main · 2025 · Shift-IImediumGOC-040

The most stable carbocation from the following is:

General Organic Chemistry (GOC) · Class 11 · JEE Main Previous Year Question

Question

The most stable carbocation from the following is: image

Options
  1. a

    Benzyl carbocation

  2. b

    p-Methoxy benzyl carbocation

    ✓
  3. c

    p-Methyl benzyl carbocation

  4. d

    m-Methoxy benzyl carbocation

Correct Answerb

p-Methoxy benzyl carbocation

Detailed Solution

Step 1: Analyzing Benzyl Carbocation Stability Substituents on the benzene ring affect stability:

  • \ce−OCH3\ce{-OCH3} at para: Strong +R+R effect stabilizes the positive charge.
  • \ce−CH3\ce{-CH3} at para: +I+I and hyperconjugation stabilize the charge (weaker than +R+R).
  • \ce−OCH3\ce{-OCH3} at meta: Only −I-I effect (destabilizes the positive charge as +R+R doesn't reach meta).

Step 2: Conclusion pp-Methoxy benzyl carbocation is the most stable due to the strong resonance (+R) stabilization by the methoxy group.

Answer: (b) p-Methoxy benzyl carbocation\boxed{\text{Answer: (b) p-Methoxy benzyl carbocation}}

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