Experiment 3 & 4 - Acetone and Nitroprusside Test

It is the most common test for detecting acetone bodies in urine.
Along with the ferric chloride test, it is used to detect acetone bodies.
Acetone is one of the ketone bodies; others include acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate.
Acetone can be exhaled, being a volatile substance.
In the presence of sodium or potassium hydroxide, the solution turns ruby red, indicating the presence of metal ketones (acetone).
If acetic acid is added before the base, the color changes to purple, which can also indicate the presence of acetone.

A positive result yields a cream-white precipitate.
It can be used for quantitative detection, discerning as little as $0.002$ mg of acetone in a $0.5$ ml sample of blood or urine.
Detects acetone in blood or urine.
Aldehydes are oxidized to corresponding acids, and mercuric salts in the Nester's solution are reduced to the mercurous state or to metallic mercury.
Ketones form a mercury complex, which can be broken up by acidifying the sample.
Nester's reagent: Aldehydes are oxidized to their corresponding acids, and mercuric salts in Nester's solution are converted to the mercurous state or metallic mercury.
This test gives positive results for acetoacetic acid and acetone.
A small precipitate indicates the presence of acetone.

Industrial uses include glue, cement, and airplane models.
Commonly found in nail polish remover.
Inhalation can cause irritation, congestive pulmonary congestion, and edema, potentially decreasing respiration.