1.(a)explain what do you understand by inductive effect and types of inductive effect? (b) explain the relative stabilities of primary, secondary and tertiary carbonations?

1 Answer
May 21, 2018

Inductive effects involve electron movements.

Explanation:

There is a positive and a negative inductive effect.

Certain atoms or groups of atoms can exert one of these effects.

The electronegative atoms exert a negative inductive effect and withdraw electrons from atoms [in organic chemistry this is most often carbon atoms]. Thus on a carbocation, withdrawing electrons makes the positive charge stronger and more susceptible to attack by a nucleophile.

Alkyl groups exert a positive inductive effect and push electrons towards the positive carbon in the carbocation.

The more alkyl groups there are the bigger the effect. Consequently the three alkyl groups in a tertiary carbocation will exert a greater effect. This partially offsets the positive charge making the carbocation more stable.