Question

With reference to the carbonyl group, which statement(s) is/are correct?

• A. Carbonyl Carbon is electrophilic
• B. Carbonyl Carbon is nucleophilic
• C. Carbonyl Oxygen is electrophilic
• D. Carbonyl Oxygen is nucleophilic

Hint:

Carbonyl carbon is electrophilic due to δ+; carbonyl oxygen is nucleophilic due to lone pairs.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Analyse the C=O bond polarity.
Oxygen is strongly electronegative and pulls electron density away from the carbon in C=O, creating a \(\delta+\) on the carbonyl carbon.

Step 2: Classify the carbon.
A carbon with \(\delta+\) is electron-deficient -- it acts as an electrophile, readily attacked by nucleophiles (e.g., CN\(^-\), RMgBr, H\(^-\)).
\[ \boxed{\text{Electrophilic}} \]