Describe how you would differentiate a sample of butanal and butan-2-one.

You would add tollen's reagent to both samples. The butanal would form a silver mirror, whereas, butan-2-one would remain unchanged. This is due to the fact that an aldehyde can be oxidised to a carboxylic acid and an reduce the oxidising reagent to solid silver (mirror) and ammonia. However, ketones cannot be oxidised so the reagent cannot be reduced.

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

The enthalpy of combustion of ethanol is −1371 kJ mol−1 . The density of ethanol is 0.789 g cm−3 . Calculate the heat energy released in kJ when 1 dm3 of ethanol is burned.


Why does iodine have a higher boiling point than chlorine?


How does a mass spectrometer work?


How do I find the molecule from the 1H NMR spectrum?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences