Question

Which is more reactive benzaldehyde and acetaldehyde?

Answer 1

1. Aldehyde is the functional group that contains double-bonded Carbon atoms attached with Oxygen and a single bond with a Hydrogen atom.
2. The functional group is denoted as $\left(-\mathrm{CHO}\right)$.
3. The reactivity of aldehydes and ketones is based on the following two factors: Electrophilicity of Carbon with Oxygen and Steric hindrance.
4. Steric hindrance is the congestion created by the surrounding atoms or ligands which affect the reaction by slowing down the reaction or preventing the reaction to occur.
5. The steric hindrance is encountered more in Benzaldehyde compared with acetaldehyde because of the large bulky size of Phenyl.
6. This shows that benzaldehyde is less reactive than acetaldehyde.
7. Due to the electronegativity of the Oxygen atom the attached Carbon atom will acquire a partial positive charge, which makes the attack of nucleophiles easier.
8. The presence of an electron-donating group will encounter this positive charge effect.
9. This implies that the presence of an electron-donating group will decrease the nucleophilic addition reaction.
10. Therefore, Acetaldehyde is more reactive than Benzaldehyde.
11.