Name: Acetaldehyde and Acetone
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 3 min 15 s
Description: Do you know carbonyl compounds are used in medicines? In this video, you will be able to understand the important uses of the two most common compounds, acet...

Question

Which one between

HCHO

and

{CH}_{3} CHO

does not contain

α - H

atom? What happens when the compound which contains

α - H

atom reacts with dilute

NaOH

?

Accepted Answer

Formaldehyde and acetaldehyde are two important aldehydes. Of these, formaldehyde does not have $α$ -hydrogen atom, while acetaldehyde has $α$ -hydrogen atom. This is because the carbonyl group of formaldehyde is attached to two hydrogen atoms, while that of acetaldehyde is attached to a methyl group. Of the two aldehydes, acetaldehyde has the ability to react with dilute alkali, while formaldehyde reacts with concentrated alkali. The reaction of acetaldehyde with dilute alkali is known as aldol condensation reaction.

When aldehydes and ketones having $α$ -hydrogen atoms react with dilute alkali, two molecules condense together to form a product known as aldol. This reaction is known as aldol condensation reaction. Aldol is a combination of aldehyde and alcohol, the two functional groups present in the product formed. When acetaldehyde reacts with dilute sodium hydroxide, it forms 3-hydroxybutanal.

Which one between $HCHO$ and ${CH}_{3} CHO$ does not contain $α - H$ atom? What happens when the compound which contains $α - H$ atom reacts with dilute $NaOH$ ?

Important Questions on Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

Learn and Prepare for any exam you want !

Which one between HCHO and CH3CHO does not contain α-H atom? What happens when the compound which contains α-H atom reacts with dilute NaOH?

Important Questions on Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

Learn and Prepare for any exam you want !

Which one between $HCHO$ and ${CH}_{3} CHO$ does not contain $α - H$ atom? What happens when the compound which contains $α - H$ atom reacts with dilute $NaOH$ ?