Evaluate the following specific carbonyl compounds: Formaldehyde, Acetaldehyde, Diethyl ketone, Benzophenone, and Trichloroacetaldehyde. How many of these five compounds undergo nucleophilic addition

Question

Evaluate the following specific carbonyl compounds: Formaldehyde, Acetaldehyde, Diethyl ketone, Benzophenone, and Trichloroacetaldehyde. How many of these five compounds undergo nucleophilic addition with $HCN$ at a strictly faster rate than Acetone?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: 3. Formaldehyde and Acetaldehyde react faster than acetone (less steric hindrance, fewer +I groups). Trichloroacetaldehyde has three powerfully electron-withdrawing Chlorine atoms (-I effect), making its carbonyl carbon extremely electrophilic and reactive. Diethyl ketone and Benzophenone are bulkier and react slower than Acetone. Total = 3.

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