Q10Engineering Chemistry
Question
2 marks
What type of addition reactions occur in carbonyl compounds and why?
Answer
Carbonyl compounds undergo Nucleophilic Addition reactions because the polar nature of the bond leaves the carbon atom partially positive (electrophilic).
Carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) primarily undergo Nucleophilic Addition reactions.
Why: The carbonyl group () is highly polar because oxygen is more electronegative than carbon. This pulls the pi-electron density toward oxygen, leaving the carbon atom with a partial positive charge (). This electron-deficient carbon acts as a strong electrophilic center, readily attracting and being attacked by nucleophiles.