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Question

Chemistry Question on carbonyl compounds

In the following compounds, what is the increasing order of their reactivity towards nucleophilic addition reactions?

A

Benzaldehyde << p-Tolualdehyde << p-Nitrobenzaldehyde << Acetophenone

B

Acetophenone << Benzaldehyde << p-Tolualdehyde << p-Nitrobenzaldehyde

C

Acetophenone << p-Tolualdehyde << Benzaldehyde << p-Nitrobenzaldehyde

D

Benzaldehyde << Acetophenone << p-Tolualdehyde << p-Nitrobenzaldehyde

Answer

Benzaldehyde << Acetophenone << p-Tolualdehyde << p-Nitrobenzaldehyde

Explanation

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