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 ▸Which liquid would you expect to have a higher boiling point, Bromine (Br2) or Iodine I2)? Explain your answer.
Write an expression and units for equilibrium constant for this reaction: 2SO2(g)+O2(g)<-->2SO3(g)
How do you calculate the equilibrium constant, Kc, of a reaction?
Define ferromagnetism, paramagnetism and diamagnetism, and determine whether the following complexes a) AgCl b) [Fe(CN)6]4- c) [Mn(CN)6]4- d) Co(H2O)6Cl2 are ferromagnetic, diamagnetic or paramagnetic giving a full justification for your reasoning.