Question

Aldehydes are more reactive toward nucleophilic addition reactions than ketones. Justify.

Answer 1

Hint: To know the reason why aldehyde are more reactive toward nucleophilic addition reactions than ketones, we should go through the concept of aldehyde or the reactive properties of the aldehyde with respect to ketones.

Complete step by step solution:
Aldehydes are generally more reactive than ketones in nucleophilic addition reactions due to steric and electronic reasons.
Sterically, the presence of two relatively large substituents in ketones hinders the approach of nucleophile to carbonyl carbon than in aldehydes having only one such substituent. Electrically, two alkyl groups reduce the electrophilicity of the carbonyl carbon more effectively in ketones than in aldehyde.
Hence, Aldehydes are more reactive toward nucleophilic addition reactions than ketones.
Aldehydes is a compound containing a functional group with the structure \[ - CHO\] , consisting of a carbonyl center (a carbon double-bonded to oxygen) with the carbon atom also bonded to hydrogen and to any generic alkyl or side chain R group. The functional group itself (i.e. without the "R" side chain) is known as an aldehyde or formyl group.
Aldehyde, any of a class of organic compounds in which a carbon atom shares a double bond with an oxygen atom, a single bond with a hydrogen atom, and a single bond with another atom or group of atoms.

Note: Aldehydes are present in many organic materials, everything from rose, citronella, vanilla and orange rind. Scientists also can create these compounds synthetically to use as ingredients for sweet-smelling perfumes and colognes.