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.

Nucleophilic addition involves attack by a nucleophile on the electrophilic carbon of the carbonyl group, changing the hybridization of the carbonyl carbon from sp² to sp³. This process forms a tetrahedral alkoxide intermediate that captures a proton to yield the ...

Aldehydes and ketones undergo nucleophilic addition reactions, whereas alkenes experience electrophilic addition reactions.

Lower aldehydes and ketones (e.g., methanal, ethanal, propanone) are miscible with water due to hydrogen bonding. However, solubility decreases with increasing alkyl chain length.

The absence of intermolecular hydrogen bonding in aldehydes and ketones contributes to their lower boiling points compared to alcohols. Alcohols exhibit stronger intermolecular forces due to hydrogen bonding.