The correct answer is option 1. Ketones are good reducing agents
Let us break down each of the given options:
1. Ketones are good reducing agents:
This statement is incorrect. Ketones themselves are not good reducing agents. In fact, ketones are more commonly found as acceptors of electrons (oxidation) rather than donors (reduction). Ketones have a carbonyl group \((C=O)\), and the carbon in the carbonyl group is less reactive than the carbon in aldehydes. Therefore, ketones are generally less susceptible to reduction compared to aldehydes.
2. Aldehydes and ketones are polar compounds:
This statement is correct. Both aldehydes and ketones have a carbonyl group, which consists of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom. Oxygen is more electronegative than carbon, creating a polar covalent bond. The presence of this polar carbonyl group makes aldehydes and ketones polar compounds.
3. Aldehydes are more reactive than ketones:
This statement is generally correct. Aldehydes are more reactive than ketones due to the higher reactivity of the carbon in the carbonyl group of aldehydes compared to that in ketones. The carbon in aldehydes has a hydrogen atom attached to it, making it more susceptible to nucleophilic attack. Ketones lack this hydrogen atom on the carbon directly bonded to the carbonyl group, making them less reactive compared to aldehydes.
4. Aldehydes and ketones are reduced to alcohols:
This statement is generally correct. Both aldehydes and ketones can undergo reduction reactions to form alcohols. This reduction typically involves the addition of hydrogen \((H_2)\) in the presence of a reducing agent (such as a metal catalyst like palladium or a reducing agent like sodium borohydride). The carbonyl group is reduced to a hydroxyl group, resulting in the formation of alcohols.
In summary, option 1 is the incorrect one, as ketones are not typically good reducing agents. |
