Aldehydes and Ketones

What is the general formula for aldehydes and ketones?

C_nH_2nO

What is the functional group for aldehydes and ketones?

C=O (Carbonyl group)

What are the 3 reagents and conditions for oxidation of aldehydes?

• Reflux with acidified potassium dichromate

• Warm with Tollens reagent

• Warm with Fehling’s solution

What are the observations for oxidation of aldehydes with:

• Acidified potassium dichromate

• Tollens reagent

• Fehling’s solution

• Orange → Green

• Silver mirror

• Brick red precipitate

What is the reagent and condition for reducing aldehydes and ketones?

• Reagent: NaBH₄

• Condition: Aqueous solution

What are the reduction products of:

• Aldehydes

• Ketones

• Primary alcohols

• Secondary alcohols

What are the reagents and condition for reacting carbonyl compounds with HCN?

Reagent: KCN/NaCN + Dilute acid (H₂SO₄₎

Conditions: Room temperature

Carbonyl compound +Hydrogen cyanide →

Hydroxynitrile

What is a racemic mixture?

A mixture of equal amounts of 2 enantiomers

What are optical isomers

Non-superimposable mirror images

When are optical isomers formed?

• When aldehydes react with hydrogen cyanide

• When unsymmetrical ketones react with hydrogen cyanide