Question

Rank the following compounds in order of increasing reactivity towards nucleophilic attack.

Short answer

There applies an effect of the number of R groups on the carbon of the carbonyl group. As the number of R increases, the nucleophilic attack around the carbon decreases.

Step-by-step solution

Factors affecting the nucleophilic attack in carbonyl compounds 

There applies an effect of the number of R groups on the carbon of the carbonyl group. As the number of R increases, the nucleophilic attack around the carbon decreases.

Explanation for order of reactivity

As the number of R groups increases around the carbon atom of the carbonyl group, the steric hindrance increases, due to which the reactivity toward the nucleophilic attack decreases.

The order of increasing reactivity toward nucleophilic attack is shown below:

Order of increasing reactivity toward nucleophilic attack