Question

The shape of carbocation is :

• A. trigonal planar
• B. diagonal pyramidal
• C. tetrahedral
• D. diagonal

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

trigonal planar

Answer 2

A carbocation has a central carbon atom with three bonded groups and one empty {p}-orbital. The geometry around the carbocation is trigonal planar because the three groups are arranged at 120$^\circ$ to minimize electron repulsion.
$\textbf{Carbocation structure:} \quad \text{H-C$^+$-H}.$
The trigonal planar shape is due to {sp}$^2$-hybridization of the central carbon atom.