Question

Chemical test to distinguish between acetaldehyde and acetone

Answer 1

There are several ways you can distinguish between an acetaldehyde and an acetone.

# One of the most common ways to allow both acetaldehyde and acetone to react with Tollen’s reagent. A silver mirror is formed when acetaldehyde reacts with Tollen’s reagent. No such compound is formed on reaction of the agent with acetone.

# When acetone is subject to iodoform test, a precipitate is formed. There will be no such reaction when acetaldehyde is subject to iodoform test.

# Fehling’s reagent and chromic acid test can help in the identification of an acetaldehyde.

Answer 2

There are several ways you can distinguish between an acetaldehyde and an acetone.

# One of the most common ways to allow both acetaldehyde and acetone to react with Tollen’s reagent. A silver mirror is formed when acetaldehyde reacts with Tollen’s reagent. No such compound is formed on reaction of the agent with acetone.

# When acetone is subject to iodoform test, a precipitate is formed. There will be no such reaction when acetaldehyde is subject to iodoform test.

# Fehling’s reagent and chromic acid test can help in the identification of an acetaldehyde.