Question detail
What test can be performed to distinguish between an aldehyde and a ketone? Describe the expected observation.
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
Question
Type
exam_style
Style
Topic
Organic analysis
Question
What test can be performed to distinguish between an aldehyde and a ketone? Describe the expected observation.
Answer
To distinguish between an aldehyde and a ketone, you can perform the Tollens' test. When an aldehyde is present, a silver mirror forms on the test tube, indicating the reduction of silver ions. Ketones do not react and no silver mirror is formed.
Explanation
This answer effectively highlights a specific test that differentiates between aldehydes and ketones, along with the expected observation. It assesses the student's ability to apply knowledge of organic reactions in practical scenarios.
Common mistake
Identifying Functional Groups
Students often confuse the test-tube reactions for alcohols and aldehydes, leading to incorrect identification.
To correctly identify functional groups, remember that alcohols react with acidified potassium dichromate to produce a color change from orange to green, while aldehydes also react but may produce a different observable change when tested with Tollens' reagent, forming a silver mirror.
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