Arrange the following in decreasing order of reactivity towards nucleophilic addition: Formaldehyde — Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Steric and electronic factors dictate reactivity. HCHO (I) is most reactive. PhCHO (IV) is less reactive than aliphatic aldehydes due to resonance stabilization (+R effect) but generally more reactive than bulky ketones (III).