Question

Low reactivity of ketones with respect to aldehydes is due to ____________.

Options

• only greater steric hindrance

• greater +I effect but less steric hindrance

• only greater +I effect of alkyl group

• both greater +I effect of alkyl group and greater steric hindrance of alkyl group

Answer 1

Low reactivity of ketones with respect to aldehydes is due to both greater +I effect of alkyl group and greater steric hindrance of alkyl group.

Explanation:

The polarity of the carbonyl group, which results in the electrophilicity of carbon, is responsible for the reactivity of aldehydes and ketones. Due to the larger +I impact of the alkyl group and greater steric hindrance of the alkyl group, aldehydes are more reactive toward nucleophilic attack than ketones.