MHT CET 2026 Chemistry question

Aldehydes are more reactive than ketone towards nucleophilic attack because of?

(A)less steric hindrance in ketone
(B)presence of two alkyl group on ketone decreases its electrophilicityCorrect
(C)presence of one alkyl group on aldehyde decreases its electrophilicity
(D)alkyl group have electron withdrawing effect.

Answer: (B)

Solution

Nucleophilic addition occurs at the electrophilic carbonyl carbon. Two factors make aldehydes more reactive than ketones: steric and electronic. Sterically, aldehydes have only one bulky alkyl group (and one small H), so the nucleophile approaches easily, whereas ketones have two alkyl groups; thus statement (A),

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Question ID VK-098645