Related Formula
Number of hyperconjugation structures = Number of α-hydrogens$\text{Number of hyperconjugation structures} = \text{Number of } \alpha\text{-hydrogens}$
Core Logic
Statement I: In the tert-butyl carbocation, (CH₃)₃C$(CH_{3})_{3}C^{\oplus}$, the central positively charged carbon is attached to three methyl groups. This provides a total of 3 × 3 = 9$3 \times 3 = 9$ α$\alpha$-hydrogens, leading to nine hyperconjugation interactions. This extensively stabilizes the carbocation. Statement I is true.
Statement II: In the methyl carbocation, CH₃$CH_{3}^{\oplus}$, there are zero adjacent carbon atoms, meaning there are ZERO α$\alpha$-hydrogens. Thus, no hyperconjugation interactions are possible in CH₃$CH_{3}^{\oplus}$. The statement incorrectly claims there are three hyperconjugation interactions. Statement II is false.
Pattern Recognition
Always count α$\alpha$-hydrogens strictly from the carbon adjacent to the C$C^{\oplus}$ center. CH₃$CH_3^{\oplus}$ has hydrogens on the C$C^{\oplus}$ itself, not on an adjacent alpha carbon, hence 0 hyperconjugative structures.
Chapter Mix
Class 11 Chemistry: General Organic Chemistry