Due to both steric and electronic effects, aldehydes are typically more reactive than ketones toward nucleophilic substitutions. Aldehydes have a larger R group attached to one side of the carbonyl group and a relatively small hydrogen atom attached to the other. However, in ketones, the carbonyl group has R groups bonded to both sides. As a result, aldehydes have less steric hindrance than ketones.
Ketones have two electron-supplying groups attached to the carbonyl carbon, whereas aldehydes only have one R group to provide electrons toward the partially positive carbonyl carbon. The partial positive charge on this atom decreases and its nucleus becomes weaker as more electrons are added to the carbonyl carbon.
Due to both steric and electronic effects, aldehydes are typically more reactive than ketones toward nucleophilic substitutions. Aldehydes have a larger R group attached to one side of the carbonyl group and a relatively small hydrogen atom attached to the other. However, in ketones, the carbonyl group has R groups bonded to both sides. As a result, aldehydes have less steric hindrance than ketones.
Ketones have two electron-supplying groups attached to the carbonyl carbon, whereas aldehydes only have one R group to provide electrons toward the partially positive carbonyl carbon. The partial positive charge on this atom decreases and its nucleus becomes weaker as more electrons are added to the carbonyl carbon.