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The shape of carbonium ion is:
A) Planar
B) Linear
C) Pyramidal
D) Tetrahedral

Answer
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Hint: Carbonium ion or carbocation is a member of a class of organic molecules with a positively charged pentavalent carbon atom. Carbon here is sp2 hybridized. sp2 hybridized is the mixture of one s-orbital and two p-orbitals.

Complete answer:
In chemistry, carbonium ion is a hydrocarbon ion with a positive charge on a carbon atom. It has a pentavalent carbon atom. In organic reactions, carbonium ions are one of the most common classes of intermediates. Some examples of carbonium ions are:
Methanium CH5+
Ethenium C2H5+
In carbonium ion, a positively charged carbon atom is in sp2 hybridization state. So, its shape is triangular planar. A sp2 hybridized atom’s molecular geometry is trigonal as it has 3 sigma bonds. Carbonium ion has electron-deficient nature as there is a vacant p orbital which shows its nature. In valence shell carbon has 6 electrons. Thus, it is an electron deficient species.
The structure of carbonium ion is given below:
 
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The carbonium ion or carbocation has a planar geometry.

Thus, the correct answer is option A. i.e., Planar.

Additional information: Carbonium ions react with the groups which can donate a pair of electrons. Thus, they are very reactive. The order of stability of carbonium ions are:
CH3+(Methyl carbocation) < Primary carbocation < Secondary carbocation < Tertiary carbocation
The stability of carbocations depends on:
Resonance, Hyperconjugation and inductive effect, Electronegativity.
Carbonium ion’s nature depends upon the Carbon-atom bearing positive charge.

Note: Today Carbonium ion is also known as Carbenium. In the sp2 hybridisation, the 1-s and 2 p-orbital are oriented in the trigonal planar geometry with the bond angle of 120. The positive charge present on the carbon atom with six electrons in the valence shell.
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