Does aldehyde give tollens test?
John Kim
Updated on May 06, 2026
Hereof, do all aldehydes give tollens test?
Tollens' reagent gives a negative test for most ketones, with alpha-hydroxy ketones being one exception. The test rests on the premise that aldehydes are more readily oxidized compared with ketones; this is due to the carbonyl-containing carbon in aldehydes having an attached hydrogen.
Furthermore, why do aldehydes give a positive tollens test? If an aldehyde is present Ag+ is reduced to Ag0 which precipitates, often as a silver mirror. A terminal α-hydroxy ketone gives a positive Tollens' test because Tollens' reagent oxidizes the α-hydroxy ketone to an aldehyde.
Moreover, which aldehyde does not give tollens test?
Aldehydes such as benzaldehyde, lack alpha hydrogens and cannot form an enolate and thus do not give a positive test with Fehling's solution which is comparatively a weaker oxidizing agent than Tollen's reagent, under usual conditions. Therefore, it tests negative.
What will give a positive tollens test?
Aldehydes and - hydroxy ketones give positive Tollens test. Glucose has an aldehydic group and fructose is a hydroxy ketone.