How can one differentiate between the organic compounds propanal (CH3CH2CHO) and propanone (CH3COCH3)?

React a sample of each compound with Tollens reagent. The aldehyde (propanal) will be oxidised to a carboxylic acid (propanooic acid) and will form a silver mirror. No change will be observed with the ketone or alternatively Heat a sample of each compound with a solution of acidified potassium dichromate, which is orange. Again, the aldehyde will have been oxidised to a carboxylic acid, and the solution will turn green. The ketone solution will stay orange

Answered by Julie T. Chemistry tutor

3944 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do you draw an alkene stereoisomer?


How do London Forces/Van der Waal's forces arise?


A buffer solution is made with a pH of 5.000. Solid sodium ethanoate, CH3COONa, is added to 400 cm^3 of 0.200 mol dm^–3 ethanoic acid (Ka = 1.75 × 10^–5 mol dm^–3). Calculate the mass of sodium acetate that must be dissolved in the acid to prepare this


Explain the trend in reactivity of group 2 elements with water as you go down the group.


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