Describe chemical test/s you could use to determine the identity of a carbonyl compound.

Use Brady's Reagent (2,4-DNPH) to test for the presence of the C=O bond in a carbonyl compound. The formation of a yellow precipitate indicates a positive test result. Then determine the melting point of the product to identify the original carbonyl.

Alternatively you can use Tollen's reagent to determine whether a carbonyl is a ketone or an aldehyde. As Tollen's is a (weak) oxidising agent, there will be no reaction upon addition to a ketone, but a silver precipitate will form with an aldehyde. 

MB

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why is the first ionisation energy of Potassium less than Sodium?


What is the easiest way to calculate E cell values?


Why is the bond angle in an amide ion smaller than the bond angle in a molecule of ammonia?


What's the difference between an electrophile and a nucleophile?