carbanion Chem.
(kɑːˈbænaɪən)
[f. carb- + anion.]
An organic ion containing negatively charged carbon. Cf. carbonium (b).
| 1933 Wallis & Adams in Jrnl. Amer. Chem. Soc. LV. 3838 For the sake of clearness in discussion all tricovalent carbon compounds may be divided into three classes: (1) ‘carbanions’..(2) free radicals..(3) carbonium ions... The above word [carbanion] is here proposed for a negatively charged carbon ion in contrast to the term ‘carbonium’, which indicates a positively charged ion. 1956 J. E. Leffler Reactive Interm. of Org. Chem. ix. 187 Many of the reactions of the weak carbon acids are reactions of the carbanion, the rate being the rate of ionization. |