Free interactive chemistry · SIM-ORG-NA-001
Nucleophilic addition to carbonyl
A nucleophile attacks the δ+ carbon of a C=O group; the carbon changes from flat to tetrahedral.
Open the interactive simulation →How to use this simulation
- Play the mechanism or step through it.
- Rotate the view to see the trigonal carbon become tetrahedral.
- Read the energy profile.
What to notice
- The O of C=O pulls electrons, so the carbon is δ+.
- Aldehydes react faster than ketones (less crowded, more δ+).
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Why is the attacking nucleophile drawn coming in at an angle?
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