These compounds are intermediates in the Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement, and  they are formed when carbohydrates act as bases in superacids.
One of these species is formed as an intermediate in the synthesis of compounds like aristolochene and premnaspirodiene.  The reaction of triphenylmethanol and sulfuric acid yields one of the first one of these species to be observed. A stable one  of these is created by protonation of a hydroxyl group during the Pinacol rearrangement, and hydride or methyl (*) shifts  can cause rearrangements in these compounds. These compounds are intermediates in the Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement, and  they are formed when carbohydrates act as bases in superacids. Tertiary versions of these compounds are far more stable than  primary ones. For 10 points, name these compounds that appear as reactive intermediates in SN1 and E1 reactions, and contain a  positively charged carbon ion.
One of these species is formed as an intermediate in the synthesis of compounds like aristolochene and premnaspirodiene.  
carbocations [or carbonium ions]  ## Tiebreakers