BRAINCAKEFehling's Solution
Fehling's solution is another mild oxidising agent used to distinguish aldehydes from ketones. It is a blue alkaline solution containing a complex of copper(II) ions, Cu2+.
The test: add Fehling's solution to the sample and warm it in a hot water bath.
• Aldehyde: the blue solution forms a brick-red precipitate.
• Ketone: no change; the solution stays blue.
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All 9 lessons in Aldehydes and Ketones · All AQA A-level Chemistry topics