The increasing order of stability of the following free radicals is :

Options

A. `(CH_(3))_(2)overset(*)(C)H lt (CH_(3))_(3)overset(*)(C) lt (C_(6)H_(5))_(2) overset(*)(C)H lt (C_(6)H_(5))_(3)overset(*)(C)`
B. `(C_(6)H_(5))_(3)overset(*)(C) lt (C_(6)H_(5))_(2)overset(*)(C)H lt (CH_(3))_(3)overset(*)(C) lt (CH_(3))_(2)overset(*)(C)H`
C. `(C_(6)H_(5))_(2)overset(*)(C)H lt (C_(6)H_(5))_(3)overset(*)(C) lt (CH_(3))_(3)overset(*)(C) lt (CH_(3))_(2)overset(*)(C)H`
D. `(CH_(3))_(2)overset(*)(C)H lt (CH_(3))_(3)overset(*)(C) lt (C_(6)H_(5))_(3)overset(*)(C) lt (C_(6)H_(5))_(2)overset(*)(C)H`

Answer

A

Explanation

More the number of phenyl groups, greater is the stabilization due to resonance, therefore, `(C_(6)H_(5))_(3)C` is more stable than `(C_(6)H_(5))_(2)overset(*)(C)H`. Further, more the number of methyl groups, more is the number of hyperconjugation structures and hence more stable is the radical, i.e, `(CH_(3))_(3)overset(*)(C)` is more stable than `(CH_(3))_(2)overset(*)(C)H`. Thus, option (a) is correct.