Triphenylcarbenium

In chemistry, triphenylcarbenium,[1] triphenylmethyl cation, tritylium ,[2] or trityl cation is an ion with formula [C19H15]+ or (C6H5)3C+, consisting of a carbon atom with a positive charge connected to three phenyl groups.

[4][5] The cation exists in important chemical reagents and catalysts such as triphenylmethyl hexafluorophosphate [(C6H5)3C]+[PF6]−.

Related salts are known with diverse anions including tetrafluoroborate ([BF4]−),[1] hexachloroantimonate ([SbCl6]−), and perchlorate ([ClO4]−).

This and other similar cations can be obtained as intensely colored solutions by dissolving aryl-substituted methanols in concentrated sulfuric acid.

[6] Triarylmethane dyes are derivatives that are stabilized versions of the trityl cation.