What is a Tollens' test?
1 Answer
Mar 23, 2016
This is the classic test to detect the presence of aldehydes, and (sometimes) to differentiate ketones from aldehydes.
Explanation:
An aldehyde is easily oxidizable to the carboxylic acid. When an aldehyde is treated with ammoniacal silver nitrate the following redox reaction occurs:
In this reaction, often the inside of the test-tube is coated with a beautiful silver mirror. In fact, the best mirrors (i.e. the ones you paint your face in or shave) are made precisely by this reaction.