[Hubert]

stability of carbocation will determine the speed of reaction, in this case does thecarbocation refer to the number of carbon bonded to it or the number of halogen bonded to it??

[Winga]

Usually, the formation of carbocation is the rate determine step.

What case?

Carbocation should be the whole molecular ion which there is a carbon atom with six outermost electrons.

[Hubert]

i was meaning that the stabiltiy of the carbocation for alkyl halides, depends on the number of carbon or halogens attached to it? for example they say tertiary carbocation...are they are they referrin to the three carbon attached to them or the 3 halogen attached to it? thanks fer replyin

[ericandrews]

tertiary carbocation has 3 other carbons attached to it. secondary 2 carbons, primary = 1 other carbon. stability goes like this 3 > 2 > 1. The other carbons act as electron sinks helping share the positive charge.

[nkaspirin]

Generally speaking, the more carbon connectting to the carbocation, the stablility is higher, because of the Electron-donating effect.

[Winga]

Remind you that the stabilizing effect is due to hyperconjugation but not inductive effect.

[Mitch]

Remind you that the stabilizing effect is due to hyperconjugation but not inductive effect.

Winga is dead-on. Scooby Snack awarded.

[Hubert]

what u mean by inductive effect? electron donatin effect? And what u meant by hyperconjugation? now i am even more confused...