[ryin0]

Comparing the electronegativity of Si to C, you would expect Si to be better at distributing positive charge
Was wondering why Silyl cations are so particularly unstable that their formation isn't comparable to carbocation formation

[Corribus]

Silicon is a lot bigger than carbon. Could it be that it's harder to sterically protect the reactive silicon center?

[Babcock_Hall]

Carbocations are said to be stabilized by hyper-conjugation.  My hand wave is that this mechanism may be more difficult in the case of silicon owing to problems in achieving good overlap.  I would be hesitant to invoke electronegativity in any case.  IIUC electronegativity was originally an explanation for the various strengths of covalent and polar covalent bonds.

[Corribus]

Carbocations are said to be stabilized by hyper-conjugation.  My hand wave is that this mechanism may be more difficult in the case of silicon owing to problems in achieving good overlap.

Not a bad hand-wave. Silicon is poor at making pi bonds for the same reason.

[wildfyr]

I agree, Babcock that is at least a strongly contributing factor to the lower stability.

[ryin0]

thanks ya'll!