
Name the reagent you would add to an unknown compound to test if it contains a carbonyl group.

Important Questions on Carbonyl Compounds


Draw the skeletal formulae of :
pentan--one

Draw the skeletal formulae of :
pentan--one

Draw the skeletal formulae of :
pentanal


Ethanol can be made from ethanal using sodium tetrahydridoborate (III) as a reducing agent. Give the formula of sodium tetrahydridoborate (III).
(Enter your correct answer as )

Ethanol can be made from ethanal using sodium tetrahydridoborate (III) as a reducing agent. The reaction mechanism proceeds in a similar way to the steps in the reaction of ethanal with , but the initial attack is by the ion instead of the ion. The intermediate then gains an ion from a water molecule to form the product, ethanol.
Using your knowledge of the reaction between ethanal and , suggest the name of the mechanism to reduce ethanal. Then describe the mechanism as fully as you can, using curly arrows to show the movement of electron pairs.
