Answer to Question #165392 in Organic Chemistry for Cheryl-Ann

Question

Give a chemical test for distinguishing between any one of the Isomers of the pairs of C₅H₁₀O

Answer 1

Pair of isomer having molecular formula as C₅H₁₀O are following

CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂CHO -- an aldehyde group and

CH₃COCH₂CH₂CH₃ a ketone group

so we can distinguish both using Tollen's reagent ( ammoniacal silver nitrate solution)

Aldehyde will give tollen's test and produce silver mirror whereas ketone will not undergo tollen's test

CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂CHO + 2[Ag(NH₃)₂]OH +H₂O ------> CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂COOH +2Ag + 4 NH₃ + 2H₂O

whereas ketone will not undergo this reaction