Arrange these compounds in decreasing order of reactivity for the nucleophilic addition reaction:
(l) Acid chloride
(ll) Aldehyde
(lll) Ketone
(lV) Ester
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

Options

A. ` 1 gt 2 gt 3 gt 4`
B. ` 4 gt 3 gt 2 gt 1`
C. ` 3 gt 2 gt 1 gt 4`
D. ` 1 gt 4 gt 2 gt 3`

Answer

To arrange the compounds in decreasing order of reactivity for nucleophilic addition reactions, we need to analyze the electron-withdrawing or donating effects of the substituents attached to the carbonyl carbon of each compound. The more electron-deficient the carbonyl carbon is, the more reactive it will be towards nucleophiles.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Compounds**: The compounds we need to analyze are:
- (I) Acid Chloride
- (II) Aldehyde
- (III) Ketone
- (IV) Ester

2. **Understand the Structure**:
- **Acid Chloride**: Contains a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to a chlorine atom. Chlorine is highly electronegative, which pulls electron density away from the carbonyl carbon, making it highly electrophilic.
- **Aldehyde**: Contains a carbonyl group bonded to at least one hydrogen atom. The hydrogen does not donate electron density, so the carbonyl carbon remains relatively electrophilic.
- **Ketone**: Contains a carbonyl group bonded to two carbon atoms. The alkyl groups can donate some electron density through the inductive effect, making the carbonyl carbon less electrophilic than in aldehydes.
- **Ester**: Contains a carbonyl group bonded to an alkoxy group (R-O). The alkoxy group can donate electron density through resonance, making the carbonyl carbon the least electrophilic among the four.

3. **Rank the Reactivity**:
- **Most Reactive**: Acid Chloride (I) - due to the strong electron-withdrawing effect of chlorine.
- **Next Reactive**: Aldehyde (II) - less electron donation compared to ketones and esters.
- **Less Reactive**: Ketone (III) - has two alkyl groups that donate electron density, reducing electrophilicity.
- **Least Reactive**: Ester (IV) - the alkoxy group donates electron density through resonance, making it the least electrophilic.

4. **Final Order of Reactivity**:
- (I) Acid Chloride > (II) Aldehyde > (III) Ketone > (IV) Ester

### Conclusion:
The correct order of reactivity for nucleophilic addition reactions is:
**Acid Chloride > Aldehyde > Ketone > Ester**