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

JT

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe briefly how you would show that manganese(II) ions catalyse the reaction between manganate(VII) ions and ethanedioate ions, in dilute sulphuric acid.


Explain the trend in melting points of the period 3 elements


Ethanol can be made from the reaction between ethene and water. The reaction is exothermic and occurs at a high temperature. Describe and explain the effect of raising the temperature on the rate of achievement of equilibrium and the equilibrium yield.


What do the arrows in mechanisms represent?