Carbocation | Carbanion |
|---|---|
| It is a positively charged carbon cation. | It is a negatively charged carbon anion. |
| The carbocation has six valence electrons and three covalent bonds. | The carbanion has eight valence electrons and three covalent bonds. |
| The carbon atom with a positive charge is sp2 hybridized. | The carbon atom with a negative charge is sp3 hybridized. |
| An empty p-orbital perpendicular to the plane of substituents is present. | A p-orbital with an electron pair perpendicular to the plane of substituents is present. |
| The geometry of carbocation is trigonal planar. | The geometry of carbanion is trigonal pyramidal. |
| The angle between the substituents is 120o. | The angle between the substituents is less than 109.5o. |
| It acts as an electron-acceptor in reactions. | It acts as an electron donor in reactions. |
| Electron donating substituents stabilize the carbocations. | Electron withdrawing substituents stabilize anions. |
The order of stability of alkyl carbocations is- Methyl carbocation <10 <20 <30 | The order of stability of carbanions is- Methyl carbanion >10 >20 >30 |
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