Shaken, not stirred: a schools test for aldehydes and ketones

Abstract

A schools test for aldehydes and ketones in water at room temperature using test tubes has been developed in this laboratory using either phenylhydrazine hydrochloride or phenylhydrazine hydrochloride with NaOAc . 3H2O. The role of one equivalent of a strong or weak acid which catalyses the reaction is discussed.