Considering the 3D stereochemistry of nucleophilic addition, from which geometric trajectory does th — Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

The carbonyl carbon is $sp^2$ hybridized, meaning the molecule is locally planar. To maximize orbital overlap with the empty $\pi^*$ antibonding orbital and minimize steric repulsion, the nucleophile attacks from a direction approximately perpendicular (above or below) to the plane of the $sp^2$ orbitals.