Assertion :Aldehydes are reducing agents and ketones are not. Reason: The >C=O group in aldehydes activates the H atom attached to the carbonyl group. This is due to the relaying of the -I effect of the oxygen atom to the C - H bond so that partial positive charge is created on the H atom. The result of this activation is that the H atom of the -CHO group can be oxidised readily to a (OH) group. Thus aldehydes are reducers.