Question

What is the action of the following reagents on ethanal :

(1) Fehling’s solution, 

(2) Tollen’s reagent or Ammonical silver nitrate?

Answer 1

1. When ethanal is heated with Fehling’s solution, the deep blue colour of the solution disappears and a red precipitate of Cu₂O is obtained.

2. When ethanal is heated with Tollen's reagent a greyish black precipitate or deposition of silver is obtained.