Order of reactivity of carbonyl compounds towards nucleophilic addition Arrange the following according to reactivity towards nucleophilic addition reaction:




I have already seen this post regarding the reactivity. It helped me to some extent. 

$\ce{Cl}$ increases the positive charge on the carbonyl carbon increasing its reactivity.

So (B) > (A) > (the remaining 3)

Further, aldehydes are more reactive than ketones. But I should also consider steric factors. In compounds (C), (D), and (E), compound (D) has highest carbocation stability but also has highest steric hinderance. 

Compound (C) has lowest steric hinderance but low carbocation stability as well. How can I arrance (C), (D), and (E)?

To all those who say steric effects dont play a role: This is taken from page 147 of organic chemistry book by Clayden:


  The same structural features that favour or disfavour hydrate formation are
  important in determining the reactivity of carbonyl compounds with other
  nucleophiles, whether the reactions are reversible or not. Steric hindrance and
  more alkyl substituents make carbonyl compounds less reactive towards any
  nucleophile; electron-withdrawing groups and small rings make them more reactive
Carbocation doesn't come into the picture at all, when we are discussing about nucleophilic addition reactions. Steric hindrance will also not play a role because the compounds are planar (attack is going to take place on $sp^2$ hybridised carbon). The nucleophile is going to attack only from the top and bottom* as shown:



The only factors that come into picture in the options are the electron withdrawing or releasing nature of the groups attached to the carbonyl carbon. If the group is $e^-$ withdrawing in nature, the deficiency on the carbon atom increases, making it susceptible to nucleophilic attack.

So, the correct order is : B > A > C > E > D

P.S.:* Since the attack is from top and bottom, both of which are equally likely, the resulting product is a racemic mixture (if the carbon on which attack happens is chiral after the attack).