Ion Cyclotron Resonance Studies on tert‐Butyl, 2‐Norbornyl, and 1‐ and 2‐Adamantyl Cations

The discussion about “classical”/“nonclassical”cations continues. ICR studies show that the 1‐adamantyl cation is certainly not exceptionally stabilized (as has been repeatedly suspected) and that the energy of the 2‐adamantyl cation differs by only 4 kcal/mol instead the expected amount of 16 kcal/mol. The analogy with the controversial 2‐norbornyl cation/2‐methyl‐2‐norbornyl cation system cannot be overlooked.