Question

The \[\alpha - \] hydrogen atoms of aldehydes and ketones are acidic in nature? Give reasons.

Answer 1

Hint: The \[\alpha - \] hydrogen atom is the atom which is attached to the \[\alpha - \] carbon atom. The \[\alpha - \] carbon atom is the carbon atom which is attached directly to the functional group, in this case, the functional group is aldehyde and ketone.

Complete answer: As we know that \[\alpha - \] carbon is attached directly to the functional group and these functional groups play an important role in the chemistry of the molecule or compound.
In the case of aldehydes and ketones, the carbonyl group or the carbonyl carbon has the great electron withdrawing property i.e. carbonyl group has the strong withdrawing effect.
And the second reason that is attributed to the acidity of \[\alpha - \] hydrogen of aldehydes and ketones is the resonance stabilisation.
When the \[\alpha - \] hydrogen is removed from the aldehydes and ketones, the resulting molecule or we can say the anion is resonance stabilised.
So, these are two factors that make the \[\alpha - \] hydrogen atom of aldehydes and ketones acidic in nature.
Resonance always plays an important role in the stabilisation of the molecule.
So, here the concept is well understood and also the answer is clear that because of resonance , the alpha hydrogen atom is acidic in nature. resonance provides greater stability. And makes the molecule stable.

Note:
Both aldehydes and the ketones are the organic compounds with slightly different atoms attached to their carbonyl carbon with the double bond. In the aldehyde hydrogen atom is attached to the carbonyl carbon through double bonds. Whereas in ketones an oxygen atom is attached to the carbonyl carbon.