MODULE 6 ALDEHYDES and KETONES

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I. Data & Observations

1. Tests for ALDEHYDES

Tests for Aldehydes Reagents Visual evidence*

a.2,4-DNPH test Rectified Spirit and 2,4- a yellow or orange

DNPH solution precipitate started to form

Organic compound aldehyde

b. Sodium bisulfate test Sodium Bisulphite Solution white crystals started to

(Saturated) form

Organic compound aldehyde

c. Schiff’s test Schiff’s Reagent gives off a pink or

magenta color with
aldehyde

Organic compound aldehyde

d. Tollen’s test Dilute Sodium Hydroxide it produced a silver mirror

and Ammonium Hydroxide due to elemental silver

Organic compound aldehyde

e. Fehling’s test Fehling’s Solution A & B produced a red precipitate

of copper 1-oxide

Organic compound aldehyde

2. TEST FOR KETONES

Tests for Ketones Reagents Visual evidence*

a. 2,4-DNP test rectified spirit a yellow or orange

precipitate started to form

Organic compound ketone -

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b. NaHSO4 test saturated solution white crystals started to
of sodium formulate
bisulphite

Organic compound ketone -

c. meta-dinitrobenzene test dilute sodium there was a violet

hydroxide coloration that fades away

Organic compound ketone -

d. Sodium Nitroprusside test dilute sodium a red colored complex

hydroxide and started to appear
distilled water

Organic compound ketone -

3. QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS FOR CARBOHYDRATES

Reagents Visual evidence*

A. Solubility test

After shaking the water

with Glucose, it mixes with
Glucose Glucose and water
the water. (Soluble)

After shaking the water

with Lactose, it mixes with
Lactose Lactose and water
the water. (Soluble)

After shaking the water

with Sucrose, it mixes with
Sucrose Sucrose and water
the water. (Soluble)

After shaking the water

with Starch, it’s still visible
Starch Starch and water
and appears at the bottom
of the solution. (Insoluble)

Molisch test

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B. Molisch’s test

Glucose Molisch’s reagent and Purple with green, yellow,

Sulfuric acid. violet and pink lines.

Lactose Molisch’s reagent and Purple to green, yellow

Sulfuric acid. and pink lines.

Sucrose Molisch’s reagent and Solid dark violet to light

Sulfuric acid. violet

Starch Molisch’s reagent and Dark Green to light and

Sulfuric acid. dark violet.

C. Benedict’s test

Glucose Benedict’s reagent and Cloudy orange

heat to boiling bath

Lactose Benedict’s reagent and Orange

heat to boiling bath

Sucrose Benedict’s reagent and Light green

heat to boiling bath

Starch Benedict’s reagent and Grass green

heat to boiling bath

D. Tollen’s test

Glucose Tollen’s reagent Appeared Silver-ish

Lactose Tollen’s reagent Silver with a mix of black

Sucrose Tollen’s reagent Brown

Starch Tollen’s reagent Appeared solid Black

E. Iodine test

Glucose Iodine solution Appeared the same color

(yellow)

Lactose Iodine solution Appeared the same color

(yellow)

Sucrose Iodine solution Appeared the same color

(yellow)

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 Starch Iodine solution reacts to starch that turns
the solution to Violet blue

I. Interpretation of Results
1. 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine test
The production of a yellow, orange or red dinitrophenylhydrazine precipitate
indicates a positive test result.
2. Sodium bisulfate test
If a white precipitate forms, the existence of the carbonyl group has been
established.
3. Tollen’s test
On the bottom and sidewalls of the test tube, a dark grey precipitate or silver
mirror develops.
4. Benedict’s test
Benedict's reagent is aqua-blue at first. It turns yellow to orange when heated in
the presence of reducing sugars.
5. Sodium Nitroprusside test
Depending on the carbs, it becomes orange or blue.

II. Summary Questions

1. What type of reactions are involved in the following tests?
● 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine test
○ The Aldehydes and ketones react with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine reagents to
form the colors which are yellow, orange, or reddish-orange precipitates,
whereas alcohols do not react. Formation of a precipitate therefore indicates the
presence of an aldehyde or ketone.
● Sodium bisulfate test
○ Formation of crystalline precipitate confirms carbonyl group.
● Tollen’s test

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 ○ In Tollen's test, the reaction is used to distinguish aldehydes from ketones, as
aldehydes can be oxidized into a carboxylic acid while ketones cannot.
● Fehling’s test
○ Redox reaction-it is based on the fact that the aldehyde group of sugar is
oxidised by complexed copper ions to form acid. The red copper (I) oxide then
precipitates.
2. Why does glucose give a positive result with Fehling’s test?
○ It reacts with Fehling's solution by reducing the copper(II) ions to copper(I) oxide,
which is the most important monosaccharide glucose and acts as a reducing
agent in an alkaline solution. It is in open-chain aldehyde or ketone form in an
alkaline solution.
3. What is the clinical significance of the sodium nitroprusside test?
○ Sodium nitroprusside tests are used to detect the presence of ketoacids in the
blood and the urine. This test measures only acetoacetate and acetone.
4. What is the basis of the Molisch test being used to differentiate aldehydes and
ketones from carbohydrates?
○ Molisch tests are based on the dehydration of sulphuric acid into furfural. One
hydroxyl group is removed from a sugar molecule when a sample containing
carbohydrate molecules is treated with sulphuric acid and concentrated
hydrochloric acid.