AIIMS 2019 Chemistry Nucleophilic Addition Reactions MCQ Question

In nucleophilic addition reactions, aldehydes are generally more reactive than ketones due to less steric hindrance and greater electrophilicity of the carbonyl carbon. In the case of p−CH₃−C₆H₄−CHO, the +I effect from the methyl group decreases the carbonyl's electrophilicity, while in p−CH₃O−C₆H₄−CHO, the +M effect from the methoxy group significantly stabilizes the carbonyl, further reducing its reactivity. Therefore, the order of reactivity is influenced by the strength of these electron-donating effects, leading to the sequence 2 > 3 > 4 > 1 in option A. Other options are not applicable as they do not provide a valid order of reactivity.