Tests for carbonyl compounds include:
-
the colour change of green from orange on heating with dichromate(VI)
-
yellow/orange precipitate when 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine is added
Tests to distinguish ketones from aldehydes:
- oxidising with acidified dichromate(VI) will produce green colour for aldehydes
- oxidising with tollen's reagent will produce a silver mirror for aldehydes
