CameraIcon
CameraIcon
SearchIcon
MyQuestionIcon
MyQuestionIcon
Question

How many of the following will give faster rate of cyanohydrins formation than benzaldehyde? ___
(a) p-methoxy benzaldehyde
(b) p-cyano benzaldehyde
(c) p-nitrobenzaldehyde
(d) p-methylbenzaldehyde

Open in App
Solution

p-cyano benzaldehyde is most reactive towards the addition reaction of hydrogen cyanide to form the corresponding cyanohydrin.

Carbonyl C atom in p-cyano benzaldehyde is most electrophilic.

In aldehydes and ketones, the +I effect of alkyl groups decreases the electrophilic character of the carbonyl C atom. Lower is the electrophilic character, lower is the reactivity towards the addition reaction of hydrogen cyanide to form the corresponding cyanohydrin.

In p-cyanobenzaldehyde, the -CN group is a powerful electron-withdrawing group. It

withdraws electrons by inductive effect thereby decreasing the electron density on the carbon atom of the carboxyl group. This facilitates the attack of the nucleophile and hence makes it more reactive than benzaldehyde.


flag
Suggest Corrections
thumbs-up
3
mid-banner-image
mid-banner-image
similar_icon
Related Videos
thumbnail
lock
Hemiacetals and Acetals
CHEMISTRY
Watch in App