In the acid-catalyzed nucleophilic addition to a carbonyl compound, what is the primary role of the acid catalyst during the initial step of the mechanism?
Q1. In the acid-catalyzed nucleophilic addition to a carbonyl compound, what is the primary role of the acid catalyst during the initial step of the mechanism?
Answer: Increase the electrophilic character of carbonyl carbon
Explanation: Acid catalysts protonate the carbonyl oxygen, making the carbon more electrophilic; base catalysts work by increasing the nucleophilic strength of the reagent.