Question
Chemistry Question on carbonyl compounds
In the following compounds, what is the increasing order of their reactivity towards nucleophilic addition reactions?
Benzaldehyde < p-Tolualdehyde < p-Nitrobenzaldehyde < Acetophenone
Acetophenone < Benzaldehyde < p-Tolualdehyde < p-Nitrobenzaldehyde
Acetophenone < p-Tolualdehyde < Benzaldehyde < p-Nitrobenzaldehyde
Benzaldehyde < Acetophenone < p-Tolualdehyde < p-Nitrobenzaldehyde
Benzaldehyde < Acetophenone < p-Tolualdehyde < p-Nitrobenzaldehyde
Solution
The reactivity towards nucleophilic addition reactions is influenced by the electron-withdrawing or electron-donating groups attached to the carbonyl carbon. Strong electron-withdrawing groups increase the electrophilicity of the carbonyl carbon, making the compound more reactive. The order is: Benzaldehyde < Acetophenone < p-Tolualdehyde < p-Nitrobenzaldehyde