Silver Mirror test is given by which one of the following compounds ?

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Engineering

Chemistry

Test of aldehydes

Distinction tests

Question

Silver Mirror test is given by which one of the following compounds ?

A

Acetone

B

Acetaldehyde

C

Benzophenone

D

None

Silver Mirror Test Concept Explanation

The Silver Mirror Test (also known as Tollens' test) is a chemical test used to distinguish between aldehydes and ketones. It involves the oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids, while reducing silver ions (Ag⁺) to metallic silver (Ag), which forms a shiny mirror-like coating on the test tube.

Step-by-Step Reasoning:

Step 1: Understand the reaction - Tollens' reagent (ammoniacal silver nitrate, [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺) oxidizes aldehydes but not ketones.

Step 2: The general reaction for an aldehyde (RCHO) is:

RCHO + 2 {[Ag ({NH}_{3})_{2}]}^{+} + 3 {OH}^{-} \to RCOO^{-} + 2 Ag + 4 {NH}_{3} + 2 H_{2} O

Step 3: Analyze the options:

Acetone: Ketone (CH₃COCH₃) - does not give silver mirror test
Acetaldehyde: Aldehyde (CH₃CHO) - gives positive silver mirror test
Benzophenone: Ketone ((C₆H₅)₂C=O) - does not give silver mirror test

Final Answer: Acetaldehyde gives the silver mirror test.

Related Topics:

Carbonyl Compounds: Aldehydes and Ketones
Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
Distinguishing Tests in Organic Chemistry
Other carbonyl tests: Fehling's test, Benedict's test, Iodoform test

Important Formulae and Theory:

Tollens' Reagent Preparation: AgNO₃ + NaOH → Ag₂O (precipitate) + NH₄OH → [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺

Key Theory: Aldehydes are easily oxidized to carboxylic acids because they have a hydrogen atom attached to the carbonyl carbon, while ketones do not have this hydrogen and are resistant to mild oxidation.

General Reaction: R-CHO + 2[Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ + 3OH⁻ → R-COO⁻ + 2Ag + 4NH₃ + 2H₂O