Expt: Oxidation of Carbonyl Compounds comparison of aldehydes and ketones

Aim: To illustrate differences between aldehydes and ketones by showing their different
reactions towards oxidising agents.

Part A: Tollens Reagent Test

Method
1

Place 5 mL of aqueous silver nitrate in a clean test tube and add one drop of sodium
hydroxide solution. Add dilute ammonia until the precipitate just dissolves.

Transfer some of the solution (Tollens reagent) to a clean test tube and add 5 drops
of the propanal solution.

Warm on a water bath below 60C for 10 minutes. Set aside and observe.

Repeat using propanone.

Results
Substance

Observation with Tollens Reagent

propanal
propanone
Question
Write the ion-electron half equation for the reduction of the silver ion.
Ag+

Part B: Benedicts/Fehlings Test

Method
1. Place 2 mL of Benedicts solution into a boiling tube and add 10 drops of propanal.
2. Boil the solution carefully for a few minutes.
3. Repeat using propanone.
Results
Substance

Observation with Benedicts Solution

propanal
propanone
Question
Write an ion-electron half equation for the reduction of the copper (II) ion.
Cu2+

Expt: Oxidation of Carbonyl Compounds comparison of aldehydes and ketones

Aim: To illustrate differences between aldehydes and ketones by showing their different
reactions towards oxidising agents.

Part A: Tollens Reagent Test

Method
1

Place 5 mL of aqueous silver nitrate in a clean test tube and add one drop of sodium
hydroxide solution. Add dilute ammonia until the precipitate just dissolves.

Transfer some of the solution (Tollens reagent) to a clean test tube and add 5 drops
of the propanal solution.

Warm on a water bath below 60C for 10 minutes. Set aside and observe.

Repeat using propanone.

Results
Substance

Observation with Tollens Reagent

propanal
propanone
Question
Write the ion-electron half equation for the reduction of the silver ion.
Ag+

Part B: Benedicts/Fehlings Test

Method
1. Place 2 mL of Benedicts solution into a boiling tube and add 10 drops of propanal.
2. Boil the solution carefully for a few minutes.
3. Repeat using propanone.
Results
Substance

Observation with Benedicts Solution

propanal
propanone
Question
Write an ion-electron half equation for the reduction of the copper (II) ion.
Cu2+