Aldehydes And Ketones
Which reagent can distinguish ethanal from propanone in a single-step qualitative test?
Select the correct option:
Solution
Tollens' reagent
Ethanal is an aldehyde and reduces Tollens' reagent to metallic silver, giving a silver mirror. Propanone is a ketone and generally does not reduce Tollens' reagent. Thus this reagent cleanly differentiates ethanal from propanone in one step.
🔒 Solution Hidden from View
Submit your answer to unlock the detailed step-by-step solution.
More aldehydes and ketones Practice Questions
Benzaldehyde and propanone are warmed together with dilute base in a crossed aldol condensation, so ...
Benzaldehyde and propanone are warmed together with dilute base in a crossed aldol condensation, so ...
A student needs a single reagent that gives a silver mirror with propanal but no visible change with...
A student needs a single reagent that gives a silver mirror with propanal but no visible change with...
Warm dilute sodium hydroxide is added to ethanal and the mixture is then heated, so which carbonyl c...
Warm dilute sodium hydroxide is added to ethanal and the mixture is then heated, so which carbonyl c...
Among the carbonyl compounds listed below, identify the one that undergoes the Cannizzaro reaction w...
Among the carbonyl compounds listed below, identify the one that undergoes the Cannizzaro reaction w...
Ranking carbonyl compounds by their tendency to undergo nucleophilic addition reveals an order gover...
Ranking carbonyl compounds by their tendency to undergo nucleophilic addition reveals an order gover...
Four organic liquids are tested with iodine and sodium hydroxide, and only some give a yellow precip...
Four organic liquids are tested with iodine and sodium hydroxide, and only some give a yellow precip...
About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- organic compounds containing oxygen
- Topic
- aldehydes and ketones
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
Tollens' reagent
Ethanal is an aldehyde and reduces Tollens' reagent to metallic silver, giving a silver mirror. Propanone is a ketone and generally does not reduce Tollens' reagent. Thus this reagent cleanly differentiates ethanal from propanone in one step.
This medium difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter organic compounds containing oxygen, covering the topic of aldehydes and ketones. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
Looking for more practice? Explore all chemistry questions or browse organic compounds containing oxygen questions on RankGuru.