Aldehydes are reduced to primary alcohols, and ketones to secondary alcohols, using sodium borohydride (NaBH₄), lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH₄), or catalytic hydrogenation.

Aldehydes are more reactive due to both steric and electronic reasons. Sterically, the hindered approach of nucleophile to the carbonyl carbon is less in aldehydes. Electronically, aldehydes are more reactive because two alkyl groups in ketones reduce the electrophilicity of ...

Aldehydes and ketones are commonly prepared by the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols, respectively.

Carbonyl compounds have a planar structure with a π-bond, leading to substantial dipole moments. The high polarity is explained by resonance, involving neutral (A) and dipolar (B) structures, contributing to the overall dipole moment of carbonyl compounds.

The double bond is polarized due to the higher electronegativity of oxygen. The carbonyl carbon acts as an electrophilic (Lewis acid), and the carbonyl oxygen serves as a nucleophilic (Lewis base) center.