Question

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

Short answer

Answer

Step-by-step solution

Step-by-Step Solution Step 1: 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