Classical Structure of Vinyl Cation

Vinyl cation is a simple unsaturated carbenium ion. The cationic carbon is sp hybridized. The empty orbital is the p atomic orbital that lies in the plane of the molecule. This is the "classical" structure. Several other structures have been discussed more recently and these include a bridged structure and the Vager structure.


Figure. The MP2(full)/6-31G* optimized structure of vinyl cation.