JEE Main Chemistry question

The most reactive compound towards formation of cyanohydrin on treatment with HCN followed by acidification is

(A)Benzaldehyde
(B)p-nitrobenzaldehydeCorrect
(C)Phenylacetaldehyde
(D)p-hydroxybenzaldehyde

Answer: (B)

Solution

Among aromatic aldehydes, an electron-withdrawing substituent (–NO₂) on the ring increases the electrophilicity of the carbonyl carbon (by resonance/induction withdrawing electron density), making it most reactive toward the nucleophile CN⁻. An

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Question ID VK-149209