1. a positively charged carbon atom or ion formed by the loss of electrons, especially in organic chemistry reactions
Usage: chemistry; technical

Examples

• The carbonium ion is an important intermediate in many organic reactions.
• In the SN1 mechanism, a carbonium cation forms before the nucleophile attacks.
• Chemists study carbonium stability to predict reaction pathways.
• The formation of a stable carbonium intermediate explains the reaction's selectivity.