MCAT Question A Day - 1/31/14 - Answer!

The typical reaction of aldehydes and ketones is

A. electrophilic addition.

B. nucleophilic addition.

C. nucleophilic substitution.

D. electrophilic substitution.

The correct answer is (B). The carbonyl group is the site of nucleophilic addition that is catalyzed by acid. The protonated oxygen of the aldehyde or ketone removes charge from the carbonyl carbon, making it more susceptible to attack by a nucleophile.

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