Nucleophilic addition is a fundamental reaction in organic chemistry where a nucleophile, which is a species that donates an electron pair, attacks an electrophile, typically a carbon atom in a carbonyl group. This process often occurs in compounds like aldehydes and ketones, where the carbon atom is partially positive due to the electronegativity of the oxygen atom. The nucleophile forms a new bond with the carbon, leading to the formation of an intermediate. After the nucleophile adds to the carbon, the oxygen atom, now negatively charged, can undergo protonation, resulting in the formation of an alcohol. This reaction is crucial in synthesizing various organic compounds, including alcohols and carboxylic acids, and is widely used in pharmaceuticals and