Statement I: On the basis of inductive effect, the order of stability of alkyl carbanions is CH3−>CH3−CH2−>(CH3)2CH−>(CH3)3C−. Statement II : Allyl and benzyl carbanions are more stabilised by inductive effect and not by resonance effect. In the light of the above statements choose the correct answer from the options given below
(A)Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
(B)Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
(C)Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect✓ Correct
(D)Statement I is incorrect and Statement II is correct
Answer: (C)
Solution
Alkyl groups donate electron density through the inductive effect, and this +I donation intensifies the negative charge already carried by a carbanion carbon, making the carbanion less stable. Every added methyl group therefore lowers the stability, giving the order CH3−>CH3CH2−>(CH3)2CH−>(CH3)3C−, so Statement I is correct. Allyl and benzyl carbanions owe their extra stability to delocalisation of the lone pair into the adjacent π system, that is to resonance and not to the inductive effect, so Statement II is incorrect. Statement I is correct while Statement II is incorrect.
JEE Main · 2026 · 05 Apr 2026 · Shift 1 · Single correct option