What is the mechanism of nucleophilic addition and how does it relate to aldehydes and ketones?

Nucleophilic addition is a reaction where a nucleophile attacks an electron-deficient carbon atom.

Nucleophilic addition is a type of chemical reaction where a nucleophile, which is an electron-rich species, attacks an electron-deficient carbon atom. This results in the formation of a new bond between the nucleophile and the carbon atom. Aldehydes and ketones are both carbonyl compounds that contain a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom. As a result, they are both susceptible to nucleophilic addition reactions.

In aldehydes, the nucleophile can attack the carbon atom of the carbonyl group, resulting in the formation of a new bond between the nucleophile and the carbon atom. This reaction is known as nucleophilic addition to the carbonyl group. The resulting product is a hemiacetal, which can further react with another molecule of the nucleophile to form an acetal.

In ketones, the nucleophile can attack the carbonyl carbon atom, resulting in the formation of a new bond between the nucleophile and the carbon atom. This reaction is known as nucleophilic addition to the carbonyl carbon. The resulting product is a hemiketal, which can further react with another molecule of the nucleophile to form a ketal.

Overall, nucleophilic addition is an important reaction mechanism in organic chemistry, and it is particularly relevant to aldehydes and ketones due to the presence of the carbonyl group. Understanding this mechanism is crucial for A-Level Biology students studying organic chemistry.