Which of the following carbocations is expected to be the most stable?

Which of the following carbocations is expected to be the most stable?

Solution

NO2 is present at the ortho- and the para- position of a positive charge.

NO2 present at the meta-position of a positive charge is less stable due to the e- withdrawing effect of  -NO2 (-I effect of NO2

NO2  present at the ortho- and para- of positive charge (Less stable due to the e- withdrawing effect of -NO2 (-M effect.)

The positive charge is destabilized by the electron-withdrawing groups.
-M dominates -I effect. So, the carbocation which has -I group is more stable.

Asked in: NEET 2018

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