Question

why esters are less reactive than ketones.​

Answer 1

Answer:

The carbon is electrophilic. When you have an ester, you now have another oxygen bonded to the carbon. This oxygen is now electron-donating which means it decreases the positive charge on the carbon. This makes the carbon less electrophilic which explains why esters are less reactive than ketones or aldehydes

Answer 2

Answer:

because the carbon is electrophilic

oxygen donates electron to it reducing the positive charge and hence are less reactive