BRAINCAKESilver Mirror Test
The silver mirror test is used as a test for aldehydes. Tollen's reagent is ammoniacal silver nitrate (silver nitrate in ammonia solution) and is used as a weak oxidising agent to oxidise aldehydes to carboxylic acids. Ketones cannot be further oxidised so Tollen's reagent can be used to distinguish between aldehydes and ketones.
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Key terms in this lesson
- oxidising agent
- A substance that oxidises another species, for example by removing electrons or by adding oxygen or removing hydrogen, while itself being reduced.
More in Carbonyl Compounds
- Carbonyl Compounds
- Preparation of Aldehydes and Ketones
- Reduction of Aldehydes and Ketones
- Reaction with Hydrogen Cyanide
- 2,4-DNP Test for Carbonyl Compounds
- Carboxylic Acids
- Esters
- Fats and Oils
All 12 lessons in Carbonyl Compounds · All OCR A-level Organic Chemistry topics