SILVER MIRROR TEST

• WHAT DOES TOLLENS' REAGENT CONTAIN?

  [Ag(NH3)2]+
• WHEN IS [Ag(NH3)2]+ FORMED?

  when aqueous ammonia and aqueous silver nitrate react
• WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ALDEHYDE REACTS WITH TOLLENS' REAGENT?

  • aldehyde warmed with Tollens' reagent
  • metallic silver formed
• WHY IS A METALLIC SILVER FORMED IN THE SILVER MIRROR TEST?

  • aldehyde oxidised to carboxylic acid by reagent
  • Ag+ reduced to metallic silver
• REACTION OF KETONES WITH TOLLENS' REAGENT?

  no reaction