Shape of Carbocation | Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

Shape of Carbocation

Question:
The shape of carbocation is :

(A) Tetrahedral
(B) Diagonal pyramidal
(C) Diagonal
(D) Trigonal planar

Correct Answer: Trigonal planar

Explanation

A carbocation contains three sigma bonds and one vacant p-orbital on the central carbon atom.

Due to the presence of three regions of electron density, the carbon atom undergoes sp2 hybridisation.

sp2 hybridisation leads to a trigonal planar geometry with bond angles close to 120°.

Hence, the shape of a carbocation is trigonal planar.

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