[g-bones]

does anybody know why silicon can stabilize beta cations? any help or references would help?

[Rico]

Hey g-bones

The stabilization of beta-cations by silicon can be explained by an overlap of the C-Si sigma bonding orbital and the empty p-orbital in the cation, the C-Si sigma bonding orbital donating electrons to the empty p-orbital (see jpeg attached). Two reasonable resonance-structures can also be drawn, the first one of course the most contributing one, since the C-Si bond is not broken, but some positive charge will reside on silicon.

I hope this answers your question.

Rico

[g-bones]

great thanks man, i was thinking it was hyperconjugation as well just couldnt quite picture it.  great job putting into "understandable" format haha