Which of the following processes increases the reactivity of a compound?

The introduction of electronegative atoms into a compound plays a significant role in increasing its reactivity. When electronegative atoms, such as oxygen, nitrogen, or halogens, are incorporated into a molecule, they create polar bonds. These polar bonds lead to regions of partial positive and partial negative charges within the molecule, enhancing its ability to participate in chemical reactions.

Electronegative atoms can stabilize certain reactive intermediates, facilitate nucleophilic attacks, or enhance electrophilic character in the molecule. For instance, the presence of a hydroxyl group (-OH) can make alcohols more reactive than their corresponding hydrocarbons by allowing them to further react with acids or act as nucleophiles. This increased polarity and the resultant charge separation make the molecule more prone to interact with other chemical species.

In contrast, processes like the formation of stable, non-polar bonds typically decrease reactivity, as these stable bonds do not favor interactions with other reactants. Saturation with hydrogen generally leads to the formation of stable alkanes, which are less reactive than their unsaturated counterparts. The reduction of functional groups often aims to convert reactive groups into more stable ones, thus reducing overall reactivity.

Therefore, the introduction of electronegative atoms serves to