Question

Account for the following:
1. Oxidation of aldehydes is easier as compared to ketones.
2. The alpha (α) hydrogen atoms of aldehydes are acidic in nature.

Hint:

- The C-H bond in aldehydes is weaker than the C-C bond in ketones, making aldehydes easier to oxidize. - The electron-withdrawing carbonyl group in aldehydes enhances the acidity of the alpha hydrogens.

Answer 1

(A) Oxidation of aldehydes is easier because it involves the cleavage of the C-H bond, which is weaker than the C-C bond found in ketones. This makes aldehydes more susceptible to oxidation.

(B) The alpha (\(\alpha\)) hydrogen atoms of aldehydes are acidic due to the electron-withdrawing nature of the carbonyl group. This effect stabilizes the conjugate base through resonance, making the alpha hydrogens more acidic.