COMEDK2025ChemistryAldehydes and KetonesActual
Arrange the following compounds in the increasing order of their reactivity in nucleophilic addition reactions. p-nitrobenzaldehyde (I); methylphenylketone (II); benzaldehyde (III); 4-methylbenzaldehyde (IV)
Options
- AII < IV < III < I
- BII < III < I < IV
- CIV < II < III < I
- DI < III < II < IV
Correct answer
A. II < IV < III < I
Step-by-step solution
The reactivity of carbonyl compounds towards nucleophilic addition reactions is governed by two factors: steric hindrance and electronic effects. Steric hindrance decreases reactivity, while electron-withdrawing groups (EWG) increase reactivity by increasing the electrophilicity of the carbonyl carbon, and electron-donating groups (EDG) decrease reactivity. The compounds are: (I) p-nitrobenzaldehyde, (II) methylphenylketone (acetophenone), (III) benzaldehyde, (IV) 4-methylbenzaldehyde. Comparing the aldehydes (I, I