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JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3g3226

The primary carbocation shown undergoes a 1,2-phenyl shift (through a bridged phenonium ion). Which structure shown is the cation formed?

  1. AStructure A
  2. BStructure B
  3. CStructure C
  4. DStructure D

Answer: B

The cation shown is the neophyl cation. The phenyl group migrates from the quaternary carbon to the CH carbon, so the charge moves to the carbon that carried the phenyl group and now bears two methyl groups and a benzyl group. The product is the 2-methyl-1-phenylpropan-2-yl cation; the methyl-shift product would need migration of a methyl group, not phenyl.
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