Aldehydes and ketones of low molecular weights are volatile compounds.

Identification of aldehydes and ketones is based on two types of

reactions, addition reaction to the double bond and oxidation reaction.
In aldehydes, the carbonyl group is attached to a hydrogen atom and an
aliphatic or aromatic group. Formaldehyde is an exceptional case in
which the carbonyl present in formaldehyde is attached to two hydrogen
atoms. In ketones, the carbonyl group is attached to two aliphatic or
aromatic groups.
Aim:To identify the presence of aldehydes or ketones functional group in
the given organic compound.
The following tests are used to identify the presence of aldehydes
and ketones:
1) 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine test:
Aldehydes and ketones react with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine to give an
orange-yellow precipitate.
The chemical reaction is given below:

Formation of orange-yellow crystals indicates the presence of carbonyl

group.
Procedure for 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine test:

1. Dissolve the given organic compound in ethanol.

2. To this solution, add an alcoholic solution of 2,4-dinitrophenyl
hydrazine.
3. Shake the mixture well.
4. If there is a formation of yellow to orange precipitate then the given
compound is an aldehyde or ketone.
5. An orange precipitate is obtained from carbonyl compounds in which
the C=O groups are conjugated with C=C.

2) Sodium Bisulphite (NaHSO3)Test:

Aldehydes and ketones combine with sodium bisulphite to for well-
crystallized water-soluble products known as “aldehyde bisulphite” and
“ketone bisulphite.”
The chemical reaction is given below:

Formation of crystalline precipitate confirms carbonyl group.

Procedure for Sodium Bisulphite (NaHSO3)Test:

1. Take a saturated solution of sodium bisulphite in a clean test tube.

2. Add 1ml of the given organic compound to be tested.
3. Shake well and leave it for 15-20 minutes.
4. If there is a formation of white precipitate, then the presence of the
carbonyl group is confirmed.
The difference between ketone and aldehyde is the carbonyl group
present in aldehydes can be easily oxidised to carboxylic acids, whereas
the carbonyl group in ketones is not oxidised easily. This difference in
reactivity is the basis for the distinction between aldehydes and ketones.
They are generally distinguished by the following tests:
1. Schiff's test.
2. Fehling's test.
3. Tollen's test.
4. Test with chromic acid.
5. Sodium nitroprusside test.

1. Schiff's reagent.
2. Silver nitrate solution.
3. Fehling's solutions A
4. Fehling's solutions B
5. Dilute ammonium hydroxide solution.
6. 2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine reagent.
7. Chromic acid.
8. Sulphuric acid.
9. Sodium bisulphite.
10. Test tubes.
11. Test tube holder.
12. Beaker.
Distinguishing Tests between Aldehydes and Ketones:
1) Schiff’s Test:
Schiff’s reagent is prepared by passing sulphur dioxide into a solution of the dye
fuchsin. The solution becomes colourless due to the formation of an additional
product. Aldehydes abstract sulphurous acid from Schiff’s reagent and restore
the pink colour. The colouration is due to the formation of complex compound.
Ketones, in general, do not respond to this reaction.The reaction should not be
subjected to heat. Some ketones give a light pink colour with Schiff’s reagent
therefore light pink colour formation is not a positive test.Appearance of pink,
red or magenta colour indicates the presence of aldehyde group.
Procedure for Schiff’s Test:
1. Take the given organic compound to be tested in a clean test tube.
2. Add 2-3 drops of Schiff's reagent.
3. If there is instant pink or red colour formation then the presence of aldehyde
is confirmed.

2) Fehling’s Test:
Fehling’s solution is a complex compound of Cu2+. When the aldehyde
compound is treated with Fehling’s solution Cu2+ is reduced to Cu+ and the
aldehyde is reduced to acids. During the reaction, a red precipitate is formed.

Aromatic aldehydes do not respond to Fehling’s test. An aqueous solution of the

compound may be used instead of an alcoholic solution. Formic acid also gives
this test.
The appearance of red precipitate confirms the presence of an aldehydic group .

Procedure for Fehling's Test:

1. Fehling's solution is prepared by mixing equal amounts of Fehling's A and
Fehling's B solution.
2. Take the given organic compound in a clean test tube.
3. Add Fehling's solution to it and heat the solution gently.
4. If a brick-red precipitate appears, then the presence of aldehyde is confirmed.
3) Tollen’s Test: (Silver Mirror Test:
This test is also called the silver mirror test. Tollens reagent consists of silver
ammonia complex in ammonia solution. Aldehydes react with Tollens reagent
giving a grey-black precipitate or a silver mirror. Always a freshly prepared
Tollen’s reagent should be used. Aldehydes are oxidised to the corresponding
acids, and silver in Tollens reagent is reduced from +1 oxidation state to its
elemental form. Generally, ketones do not respond to this test .
RCHO + 2[Ag(NH3)2]OH → R-COONH4 + 3NH3 + H2O + 2Ag↓(silver mirror)
Apart from aldehydes some other compounds also respond to Tollen’s test, but
the presence of aldehydes is confirmed when the given substance shows a
positive test for Tollen’s test, but if the given compound passes 2,4-
dinitrophenylhydrazine test.
The appearance of a shiny silver mirror confirms the presence of aldehydes .

Procedure for Tollen’s Test: (Silver Mirror Test):

1. Take 1ml of silver nitrate solution in a clean test tube.
2. Add dilute sodium hydroxide solution to it, and a brown precipitate forms.
3. Add dilute ammonia solution dropwise till the brown precipitate of silver
oxide dissolves.
4. To this freshly prepared Tollen's reagent, add the given organic compound to
be tested.
5. Place the test tube in a warm water bath for about 5 to 10 minutes.
6. If there is the appearance of a silver mirror on the sides of the test tube
confirms the presence of an aldehyde.
4) Test with Chromic Acid:
Aldehydes react with chromic acid and gives a green to blue precipitate.
Ketones do not react with chromic acid. Some of the primary and secondary
alcohols also give this test but they do not give the dinitrophenylhydrazine test.
The chemical reaction is given below.
R-CHO + 2CrO3 + 3H2SO4 → 3R-C(O)-OH + 3H2O + Cr2(SO4)3(green colour)
The appearance of green or blue colour precipitate confirms the presence of
aldehydes.

Procedure for Test with Chromic Acid:

1. Take the given organic compound in a clean test tube.
2. Add 1ml of chromic acid reagent to the given organic compound.
3. The appearance of a green or blue colour precipitate indicates the presence
of aldehydes.

5) Sodium Nitroprusside Test:

Ketone responds to this test. Ketone reacts with alkali and forms an anion which
further reacts with sodium nitroprusside and forms a coloured complex ion.
Aldehydes do not respond to this test.
The chemical reaction is given below.
CH3COCH3 + OH–→ CH3COCH2– + H2O [Fe(CN)5NO]2- + CH3COCH2– →
[Fe(CN)5NO.CH3COCH2]-3
The appearance of red colouration shows the presence of ketone.
Procedure for Sodium Nitroprusside Test:
1. Dissolve sodium nitroprusside in distilled water in a clean test tube.
2. Add 1ml of the given organic compound to be tested.
3. Shake well and add sodium hydroxide solution dropwise.
4. If there is the appearance of red colour then the presence of ketone is
confirmed.

1) What is the difference in formula of aldehyde and ketone?

Aldehyde is an organic compound having the general chemical formula R-CHO
while ketone is an organic compound having the general chemical formula R-
CO-R'.

2) How will you identify the ketones and aldehydes Using 2,4
dinitrophenylhydrazine?
An aqueous solution of 2,4- dinitrophenyl hydrazine (DNP) is known as Brady's
reagent. It reacts with carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketone) to give a
Coloured precipitate.

3) What is the use of NaHSO3 reagent?

Sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3) is a weakly acidic compound that is usually used as a
mild reducing agent. Sodium bisulfite is typically used as an aqueous solution.
4) Why is Schiff's reagent colourless?
When sulphur dioxide gas is passed through a magenta colored solution of p-
rosaniline hydrochloride, a colourless solution known as Schiff's reagent is
obtained.

5) What is Fehling's test?

One of the most popular tests used for the estimation or detection of reducing
sugars and non-reducing sugars.

6) Do ketones show Tollens test?

Aldehydes result in a positive Tollens test, but ketones do not, Because of their
structure, ketones do not react with Fehling's or Tollens' reagents.
7) What is chromic acid used for?
The chromic acid test uses the Jones reactant to oxidize aldehydes and alcohols
and reduce the chromic acid, resulting in a color change.

8) What is sodium nitroprusside test for ketones?

An anion is formed when ketone reacts with an alkali, further this anion reacts
with sodium nitroprusside to form a coloured complex. The red colour shows
the presence of ketones.