Q. The most appropriate reagent to distinguish between acetaldehyde and formaldehyde is
A) Fehling’s solution
B) Tollen’s reagent
C) Schiff’s reagent
D) Iodine in presence of base
Explanation
(d)
Iodine in presence of base is used to detect presence of $CH_{3}CO$ group in compound.
O
||
$H - C - H + I_{2} + NaOH \rightarrow$ No reaction
formaldehyde
O
||
$CH_{3} - C - H + I_{2} + NaOH \rightarrow CHI_{3}$
acetaldehyde yellow ppt.
$\therefore$Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde are distinguished by using $I_{2}$and base.
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.