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Chemistry

Why Are Carbocations Stabilized by Hyperconjugation and Inductive Effects?

Quick fact

The tert-butyl cation is about a million times more stable than the methyl cation, and it's all due to the electron-donating power of neighboring C-H and C-C bonds.

Why this is interesting

You know that carbocations are unstable, yet some survive long enough to play key roles in reactions. What makes a simple CH3+ so reluctant to exist while a tert-butyl cation is relatively stable?