How can you identify a specific unknown aldehyde or ketone?
Sarah Silva
Published May 24, 2026
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Also question is, how do you identify a ketone?
They are named by finding the carbonyl group and identifying it with a location number, if necessary, then adding the suffix "-one." The common name for ketones is determined by naming the alkyl groups attached to the carbonyl (in alphabetical order), then adding 'ketone'.
Similarly, how do you test for aldehydes? Aldehydes reacts with Tollens reagent gives a grey black precipitate or a silver mirror. Always a freshly prepared Tollen's reagent should be used. Aldehydes are oxidised to the corresponding acid and silver in Tollens reagent is reduced from +1 oxidation state to its elemental form.
Subsequently, question is, how do you distinguish aldehydes from ketones?
You will remember that the difference between an aldehyde and a ketone is the presence of a hydrogen atom attached to the carbon-oxygen double bond in the aldehyde. Ketones don't have that hydrogen. The presence of that hydrogen atom makes aldehydes very easy to oxidize (i.e., they are strong reducing agents).
Can 2 4 Dinitrophenylhydrazine reagent distinguish between an aldehyde and a ketone?
To test for an aldehyde or ketone you would use 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNP). 2,4-DNP mixed with methanol and sulphuric acid is knows as Brady's reagent. If a silver grey solid or mirror like effect is formed, an aldehyde is present. If a ketone is present, there will be no reaction.
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