Asked in PMC Practice Test 14 (2021) 2021Moderate

What is the nature of the carbon present in Aldehyde?

Correct answer: B. Electrophilic

  • A. Nucleophilic
  • B. Electrophilic
  • C. Neutral
  • D. All of these options are correct

Explanation

The carbon present in aldehyde is electrophilic. An electrophile is a molecule or ion that has a partial positive charge and is attracted to electrons. The carbon atom in an aldehyde has a partial positive charge because it has a higher electronegativity than the hydrogen atoms bonded to it. This partial positive charge makes the carbon atom in an aldehyde susceptible to attack by nucleophiles, which are molecules or ions that have a partial negative charge and are attracted to protons. The electrophilic nature of the carbon atom in an aldehyde is responsible for the reactivity of aldehydes. Aldehydes can react with nucleophiles to form a variety of products, such as alcohols, amines, and carboxylic acids.

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About Reactivity of Aldehydes and Ketones

The polar carbonyl group makes aldehydes and ketones undergo nucleophilic addition, reduction and condensation reactions. Aldehydes are generally more reactive and oxidise readily to carboxylic acids, whereas ketones resist mild oxidation; reactions with hydrogen cyanide, sodium bisulfite and 2,4-DNP help identify their behaviour.

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