Question

Which of the following reagent can be used to distinguish propanal and propanone?

• A. Tollen's reagent
• B. Benedict's reagent
• C. Fehling's reagent
• D. All of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is D All of the above

1. Tollen's reagent is a chemical reagent used to determine the presence of an aldehyde or alpha hydroxy ketone functional group. The reagent is silver nitrate and ammonia. Propanal gives a positive test.

2. Benedict's reagent is a solution of sodium citrate, sodium carbonate and copper sulfate that changes from blue to yellow or red in the presence of reducing sugars such as aldehydes. Propanal gives a positive test.

3. Fehling's reagent is a chemical reagent used to differentiate between water-soluble carbohydrates and alpha-hydroxy ketone functional group as a test for reducing and non-reducing sugars. Propanal gives a positive test.

Therefore, all the above three reagents can be used to distinguish propanal and propanone.