In the general mechanism for the nucleophilic addition reaction of a carbonyl compound, what is the — Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

The initial attack of the nucleophile forces the planar $sp^2$ carbon into a sterically crowded tetrahedral $sp^3$ alkoxide state. This kinetically hindered transition makes it the slow, rate-determining step.