| Carbocation | Carbanion |
| 1. The central carbon atom is +vely charged. | 1. The central carbon atom is -vely charged. |
| 2. It is an electron deficient species. | 2. It is an electron rich species. |
| 3. The central carbon atom possesses six electrons in its outermost shell. | 3. The central carbon atom possesses eight electrons in its outermost shell. |
| 4. The central carbon atom is in sp2 state of hybridisation. | 4. The central carbon atom is in sp3 state of hybridisation and carries a lone pair of electrons. |
| 5. Its shape is triangular planner. | 5. Its shape is pyramidal. |
| 6. It can accept an electron pair from a nucleophile to form a covalent bond. | 6. It can donate an electron pair to an electrophile to form a covalent bond. |
