This is a hydration reaction: aldehyde + water -> hydrate (a diol)
Water readily attacks the least hindered, least substituted aldehyde. This will produce the greatest yield of products. The least substituted compound is b.
This is a hydration reaction: aldehyde + water -> hydrate (a diol)
Water readily attacks the least hindered, least substituted aldehyde. This will produce the greatest yield of products. The least substituted compound is b.