BRAINCAKEOxidation of Aldehydes
The key difference between aldehydes and ketones is that aldehydes are easily oxidised and ketones are not.
An aldehyde has a hydrogen atom on its carbonyl carbon. An oxidising agent converts this C-H into C-OH, turning the aldehyde into a carboxylic acid. A ketone has no H on its carbonyl carbon; to oxidise it, a C-C bond would have to break, which does not happen with these oxidising agents.
Reagent and conditions: acidified potassium dichromate(VI), K2Cr2O7 with dilute sulfuric acid, heated under reflux. Refluxing lets the reaction go to completion without the volatile aldehyde escaping.
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Key terms in this lesson
- reflux
- Continuous heating of a reaction mixture fitted with a vertical condenser, so any vapour condenses and returns to the flask.
More in Carbonyl Compounds
- Aldehydes and Ketones
- Naming Carbonyl Compounds
- Physical Properties of Carbonyls
- Tollens' Reagent
- Fehling's and Benedict's Solutions
- Iodoform Reaction
- 2,4-DNPH Test
- Reduction with LiAlH4
All 11 lessons in Carbonyl Compounds · All Edexcel A-level Chemistry topics