Home/
Competitive Exams/
JEE Main & Advanced/
Chemistry/
General Organic Chemistry/
Question 730008
JEE Chemistry · Medium

General Organic Chemistry: Carbanion stability MCQ

Solve this quality-checked JEE multiple-choice question, then review the correct answer and explanation.

Timer-based practiceDetailed answer reviewMobile-friendly flow
Carbanion stabilityMediumQuestion 730008

Question

Carbanion stability order is:
  1. A
    3° < 2° < 1° < CH₃⁻
    Correct
  2. B
    3° > 2° > 1°
  3. C
    All equal
  4. D
    1° > 2° > 3°

Correct answer

3° < 2° < 1° < CH₃⁻

Explanation

Carbanions (negatively charged carbon) are destabilised by electron-donating alkyl groups. More alkyl groups = less stable carbanion. So: tertiary < secondary < primary < methyl. Wait: the answer given is CH₃⁻ < 1° < 2° < 3° which means methyl is least stable — but that is wrong. Carbanion stability: 3° < 2° < 1° < CH₃⁻ (opposite of carbocations). The correct answer should reflect increasing stability for less substitution.

Review General Organic Chemistry notesStart timed chapter practice