Question

Out of aldehydes and ketones which one is more reactive and why?

Answer 1

Aldehydes are more reactive towards nucleophillic addition reactions. Can be explained on the basis of 2 factors :
1.inductive effect : since carbonyl group of ketones is connected to alkyl groups,and alkyl group has electron donating inductive effect,it increases electron density on carbon of carbonyl group in ketones,making it less electrophilic. Therefore nucleophiles fail to attack ketones'carbonyl grp. And hence aldehydes are more reactive.
2. Steric effect: alkyl groups present on ketones provide steric hindrance to the attack of nucleophile. This is not the case with aldehydes.