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Pyramidal carbocation
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<p>A pyramidal carbocation is a type of <a href="/facts/Carbocation/vIggUxTh">carbocation</a> with a specific configuration. This ion exists as a third class, besides the classical and <a href="/facts/Non-classical_ion/omeLM3HR">non-classical ions</a>. In these ions, a single carbon atom hovers over a four- or five-sided <a href="/facts/Polygon/yAq7RjPz">polygon</a>, in effect forming a <a href="/facts/Pyramid/76Qx8TLD">pyramid</a>. The four-sided pyramidal ion will carry a charge of 1+, and the five-sided pyramid will carry 2+. In the images (<i>at upper right)</i>, the black spot on the vertical line represents the hovering carbon atom. </p><p>The apparent <a href="/facts/Coordination_number/mf48hsoX">coordination number</a> of five, or even six, associated with the carbon atom at the top of the pyramid is a rarity as compared to the usual maximum of four. </p>