Question

Why are aldehydes easily oxidized compared to ketones?

Answer 1

Both steric and electronic factors combine to make the oxidation facile.

Explanation:

The ipso carbon of an aldehyde is sterically unencumbered; it is essentially a primary centre. Substitution by hydrogen, rather than by the second (electron releasing) hydrocarbyl group of the ketone, makes this carbon more electron poor. Most of the time, when an aldehyde is made, special precautions have to be taken so that the ipso carbon is not oxidized completely to a carboxyl group.