A cation containing an even number of electrons with a significant portion of the excess positive charge located on one or more carbon atoms. This is a general term embracing carbenium ions, all types of carbonium ions vinyl cations, etc. Carbocations may be named by adding the word 'cation' to the name of the corresponding radical. Such names do not imply structure (e.g. whether three-coordinated or five-coordinated carbon atoms are present).
See also: bridged carbocation, radical ion
Sources:
PAC, 1994, 66, 1077. 'Glossary of terms used in physical organic chemistry (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)' on page 1093 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466051077)
PAC, 1995, 67, 1307. 'Glossary of class names of organic compounds and reactivity intermediates based on structure (IUPAC Recommendations 1995)' on page 1325 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199567081307)