RNS PUC 2024-25

ALDEHYDES, KETONES AND CARBOXYLIC ACIDS

ALDEHYDES AND KETONES
1. What are carbonyl compound?
The organic compounds containing carbonyl functional group (>C=O) are called carbonyl
compounds.

2. Define aldehydes and ketone. Write the general formula of aldehydes and
ketones.
Aldehydes are the carbonyl compounds where atleast one valency of the carbonyl group is
satisfied by a hydrogen atom. The general formula of aldehyde is
O

Where R = hydrogen atom or alkyl or aryl group

R C H
Aldehyde
Ketones are the carbonyl compounds where carbonyl group is attached on both sides to
carbon atoms. The general formula of ketone is

R C R' Where R = alkyl or aryl group

Ketone

3. Write the IUPAC and common names of following compounds.

Formula IUPAC name Common name
HCHO Methanal Formaldehyde
CH3CHO [July 2014] Ethanal Acetaldehyde
CH3CH2CHO Propanal Propionaldehyde
CH3CH2CH2CHO Butanal n-Butyraldehyde
(CH3)2CHCHO 2-Methylpropanal Isobutyraldehyde
CH3CH2CH2CH2CHO Pentanal Veleraldehyde
CH3CH(OCH3)CHO 2-Methoxypropanal ∝-Methoxypropionaldehyde
CH2=CHCHO [July 2017] Prop-2-enal Acrolein

CHO Benzaldehyde Benzaldehyde

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CHO 2-Hydroxybenzaldehyde Salicylaldehyde

Or

OH o-Hydroxybenzaldehyde

CHO Benzene-1,2- Phthaldehyde

dicarbaldehyde
CHO

CHO
3-Bromobenzaldehyde m-Bromobenzaldehyde

Br

CH2 CHO 2-Phenylethanal ∝-Phenylacetaldehyde

CH3COCH3 [July 2020] Propan-2-one Dimethyl ketone or Acetone

CH3COCH2CH3 Butan-2-one Ethyl methyl ketone
(CH3)2CHCOCH3 3-Methylbutan-2-one Methyl isopropyl ketone
CH3CH2COCH2CH3 Pentan-3-one Diethyl ketone
(CH3)2CHCOCH(CH3)2 2,4-Dimethylpentan–3–one Diisopropyl ketone
[July 2018]
(CH3)2C=CHCOCH3 4-Methylpent–3–en–2-one Mesityl oxide
O 1-Phenylethanone Acetophenone
C CH3 Or Or
Acetophenone Methyl phenyl ketone

O
1-Phenylpropanone Propiophenone
C C2H5 Or
Ethyl phenyl ketone

O
Diphenylmethanone Benzophenone
C Or Or
Benzophenone Diphenyl ketone

O 2-Methylcyclohexanone ∝-Methylcyclohexanone

CH3

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Note: Write the IUPAC name of following compounds.

4. Explain the nature of carbonyl group.

The carbonyl carbon atom in aldehydes and ketones is sp2 hybridized and hence has a
planar structure. All the three hybrid orbitals are involved in three sigma bonds. The ∏
bond is formed by the sideways overlap of an unhybridised p-orbital of carbon with p
orbital of oxygen. In addition, the oxygen atom also has two lone pair of electrons. Thus,
the carbonyl carbon and the three atoms attached to it lie in the same plane and the ∏
electron cloud is above and below this plane, as shown in figure. The bond angles are
approximately 1200 as expected of a trigonal planar structure.

Since oxygen is more electronegative than carbon, it draws electrons towards it. Hence
oxygen atom acquires partial –ve charge and carbon acquires partial +ve charge. Thus, the

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carbonyl carbon is an electrophilic (Lewis acid), and carbonyl oxygen is nucleophilic (Lewis
base) center. The high polarity of the carbonyl group is explained on the basis of
resonance.

5. What is the hybridization of carbonyl carbon atom? [Mar 2014]

2
sp

6. How would you prepare aldehydes and ketones from ozonolysis of alkenes?
When alkenes react with ozone, a cyclic ozonide is formed which on hydrolysis in presence
of zinc dust gives aldehyde and or ketones.
O H
H
Zn/ H2O H-CHO
CH2 CH2 O3 C C H-CHO
-H2O2
H H Formaldehyde
Ehene
O O
Ozonide

O H
CH3
Zn/ H2O
CH3 C CH2 C C CH3-CO-CH3 HCHO
O3
-H2O2
CH3 H Acetone Formaldehyde
CH3 O O
2-Methylpropene

7. How would you prepare aldehydes and ketones from hydration of alkynes?
When alkynes are treated with dilute sulphuric acid at 65 OC in presence of mercuric
sulphate catalyst, hydration takes place forming aldehydes or ketones.
O
OH

tautomerism
dil.H2SO4 / HgSO4 CH3 C H
CH2 C H
CH CH H2O
650C Acetaldehyde
Ethyne
O
OH

dil.H2SO4 / HgSO4 tautomerism

CH3 C CH3
CH3 C CH H2O CH3 C CH2
0
65 C Acetone
Propyne

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8. Explain Rosenmund’s reduction with an example. [Mar 2018]

When acid chloride is heated with hydrogen in presence of palladium catalyst supported
over barium sulphate, aldehydes are formed.
O
O

Pd -BaSO4
R C H HCl
R C Cl H2
Acid chloride Aldehyde
O
O

Pd - BaSO4
CH3 C H HCl
CH3 C Cl H2
Acetyl chloride Acetaldehyde

O
O

C H HCl
C Cl Pd - BaSO4
H2

Benzaldehyde
Benzoyl chloride

9. Name the below reaction. [Mar 2015]

CHO
COCl H2

Pd / BaSO4

Rosenmund’s reduction

10. How would you prepare ketone from acid chlorides?

When acid chlorides are treated with dialkyl cadmium gives ketones.
O
O

(R')2Cd 2R C R' CdCl2

2R C Cl
Ketone
Acid chloride
O
O

2 CH3 C CH3 CdCl2

2 CH3 C Cl (CH3)2Cd
Acetyl chloride Dimethyl cadmium Acetone
O
O

2 C6H5 C CH3 CdCl2

2 C6H5 C Cl (CH3)2Cd
Benzoyl chloride Dimethyl cadmium Acetophenone

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11. Explain Stephen’s reduction with an example. [Aug 2022]

Nitriles are reduced to corresponding imine with stannous chloride in the presence of
hydrochloric acid, which on hydrolysis gives corresponding aldehyde.

H3O+ R-CHO
R C N SnCl2 HCl R CH NH
Alkanimine Aldehyde
Alkane nitrile

CH3 CH NH H3O+ CH3-CHO

CH3 C N SnCl2 HCl
Ethanimine Ethanal
Ethane nitrile

C2H5 CH NH H3O+ C2H5-CHO

C2H5 C N SnCl2 HCl
Propanimine Propanal
Propane nitrile

12. Name the reagent used in the Stephen reaction.

Stannous chloride in presence of HCl

13. How would you prepare ketones from nitriles? [Mar 2023]
When nitriles react with Grignard reagent, an addition product is formed which on
hydrolysis gives ketone.

R'
R'
X
H2O/H+
ether O NH3 Mg
R C N R'MgX R C N MgX R C

Alkane nitrile Grignard reagent Ketone OH

Addition product

CH3
CH3
+ Br
H2O/H
ether CH3 C O NH3 Mg
CH3 C N CH3MgBr CH3 C N MgBr
Ethane nitrile Acetone OH

C6H5
C6H5
+
Br
H2O/H
ether O NH3 Mg
C2H5 C N C6H5MgBr C2H5 C N MgBr C2H5 C

OH
Propane nitrile Propiophenone

14. How would you prepare aldehyde from nitriles and esters using DIBAL-H?
Reduction of nitriles and esters using diisobutyl aluminium hydride (DIBAL-H) followed by
hydrolysis gives aldehydes.
1. AlH(i-Bu)2
R C N R-CHO
2.H2O
Nitrile Aldehyde

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1. AlH(i-Bu)2 CHO
CH3 CH CH CH2 CH2
CH2 C N
CH3 CH CH CH2 2.H2O
Hex-4-en-1-al
Hex-4-ene nitrile

1. AlH(i-Bu)2
CH3-(CH2)9-COOC2H5 CH3-(CH2)9-CHO
2.H2O
Ethyl undecanoate Undecanal

Note: The advantage of DIBAL-H is it can be used reduce unsaturated nitriles as

the double bond is not reduced.

15. What is Etard’s reaction? Explain. [May 2022]

Chromyl chloride oxidizes methyl group of toluene to a chromium complex, which on
hydrolysis gives benzaldehyde. This reaction is called Etard’s reaction.
CH(OCrOHCl2)2 CHO
CH3

CS2 H2O/H+
2CrO2Cl2

Toluene Chromyl chloride Chromium complex Benzaldehyde

16. Name the oxidizing reagent used in Etard’s reaction. [July 2015]
Chromyl chloride (CrO2Cl2)

17.Write the name of the below reaction

CH3 CHO

CS2
CrO2Cl2
H2O/H+

Etard’s reaction

18. Explain Gatterman – Koch reaction. [Mar 2017]

Benzene reacts with carbon monoxide and hydrogen chloride in presence of anhydrous
aluminum chloride or cuprous chloride catalyst, benzaldehyde is formed. This reaction is
called Gatterman-Koch reaction.

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CHO

CO, HCl

anhy.AlCl3 /CuCl

Benzene Benzaldehyde

19. How do you prepare aromatic ketones from Friedel-Craft’s acylation reaction
[Mar 2019]
When benzene is treated with an acid chloride in the presence of anhydrous aluminum
chloride, it gives aromatic ketone. This reaction is known as Friedel-Crafts acylation
reaction.
O

O
C R
anhy. AlCl3
Cl C R HCl

Benzene Acid chloride Aromatic ketone

O

O
C CH3
anhy. AlCl3
HCl
Cl C CH3

Benzene Acetyl chloride Acetophenone

20. How would you prepare benzaldehyde using chromic oxide?

Toluene is treated with chromic oxide (CrO3) in acetic anhydride to form benzylidene
diacetate which on hydrolysis in presence of aqueous acid gives benzaldehyde.
CH(OCOCH3)2 CHO
CH3

273-283K H2O / H+
(CH3CO)2O CrO3

Acetic anhydride Benzylidine diacetate Benzaldehyde

Toluene

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21. How would you prepare benzaldehyde using side chain chlorination?
Side chain chlorination of toluene gives benzal chloride which on hydrolysis gives
benzaldehyde.
CHCl2 CHO
CH3

H2O
Cl2 / h
373K

Toluene Benzal chloride Benzaldehyde

22. Give reason: a) Aldehyde and ketones have higher boiling points than the
corresponding hydrocarbons
b) Aldehyde and ketones have lower boiling points than the corresponding
alcohols.
c) Among isomeric aldehydes and ketones, ketones have slightly higher boiling
points than aldehydes.
d) Lower members of aldehyde and ketones are soluble in water. [June 2023]
a) This is due to the presence of polar carbonyl group which results in dipole-dipole
interaction.
b) This is due to the absence of intermolecular H-bonding in aldehyde and ketones.
c) Ketones have greater polarity than aldehydes due to presence of two electron releasing
alkyl groups around carbonyl group.
c) This is due to the formation hydrogen bonding with water.

23. Carbonyl group more susceptible to attack by nucleophiles. Justify your

answer.
Because, oxygen is more electronegative than carbon. Hence carbonyl carbon acquired
partial positive charge. So it is attached by nucleophile.

24. Ketones are less reactive towards nucleophilic addition reaction. Give any
two reason. [July 2016]
 Steric effect: The presence of two relatively large substituents in ketones hinders
the approach of nucleophile to carbonyl carbon than in aldehydes.
 Electronic effect: Two alkyl groups of ketones reduce the electrophilicity of the
carbonyl carbon more effectively than in aldehydes.

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25. Explain mechanism of addition of nucleophile to aldehyde or ketone.

It takes place in two steps. [Mar 2016]
Step 1): Nucleophilic attack: The nucleophile attacks the electrophilic carbon of the
polar carbonyl group from a direction perpendicular to the plane of sp2 hybridized orbitals
of carbonyl carbon to form tetrahedral alkoxide ion intermediate.
Step 2): Attack of H+: The intermediate alkoxide ion readily takes a proton to form
addition product.

26. How does aldehydes and ketones reacts with HCN?

Aldehydes and ketones react with hydrogen cyanide, cyanohydrins are formed.
OH
O

R C R'
R C R' HCN

Aldehyde or ketone
CN
Cyanohydrin
OH
O

CH3 C H
CH3 C H HCN

Acetaldehyde CN
Acetaldehyde cyanohydrin
(2-Hydroxypropanenitrile)

OH
O

CH3 C CH3
CH3 C CH3 HCN

Acetone CN
Acetone cyanohydrin
(2-Hydroxy-2-methylpropanenitrile)

27. Explain mechanism of addition of HCN to aldehyde or ketone.

It takes place in two steps.
Step a): Nucleophilic attack: In the first step the nucleophile CN- ion attacks to carbon
of the carbonyl group to form alkoxide ion intermediate.

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Step b): Attack of H+: In the second step, the intermediate alkoxide ion readily takes a
proton to form cyanohydrin.

28. How does aldehydes and ketones react with NaHSO3?

Aldehydes and ketones react with saturated solution of sodium bisulphite to form bisulphite
addition compounds.
ONa OH
O
Proton
R' R C R'
NaHSO3 R C
R C R' transfer

OSO2H OSO2Na
Bisulphite addition compound

ONa OH
O
Proton
CH3 C H CH3 C H
CH3 C H NaHSO3 transfer
Acetaldehyde
OSO2H OSO2Na

Acetaldehyde sodium
bisulphite compound

ONa OH
O
Proton
CH3 C CH3 CH3 C CH3
CH3 C CH3 NaHSO3 transfer
Acetone
OSO2H OSO2Na
Acetone sodium
bisulphite compound
29. Explain the addition of alcohols to aldehydes and ketones with an example.
When aldehydes react with monohydric alcohol in presence of dry HCl to form hemiacetal
which further reacts with one more mole of alcohol to form acetal.
OR'
OH
O
R'OH
dryHCl R C H H2O
R C H
R C H R'OH H +

Aldehyde Alcohol
OR' OR'

Hemiacetal Accetal

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OC2H5
OH
O
C2H5OH
dryHCl CH3 C CH3 C H H2O
H
CH3 C H C2H5OH +
H

OC2H5 OC2H5
Acetaldehyde Ethanol 1-Ethoxyethanol 1,1-Diethoxyethane

Ketones react with ethylene glycol in the presence of dry HCl to give a cyclic product
known as ethylene glycol ketal.

R R O CH2
HO CH2
Dry HCl
C H2O
C O
HO CH2 O CH2
R
R
Ketone Ethylene glycol Ethylene glycol ketal

CH3
CH3 O CH2
HO CH2
Dry HCl
C H2O
C O
HO CH2 O CH2

Ethylene glycol CH3

CH3
Acetone 2,2-Dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane

30. How does aldehyde and ketones reacts with ammonia?

Aldehydes and ketones react with ammonia to form imine.
R' R'
O

NH3 R C NH2 R C NH
R C R'
-H2O
Aldehyde / ketone Imine
OH

H H
O

NH3 CH3 C NH2 CH3 C NH

CH3 C H
-H2O
Acetaldehyde Ethanimine
OH

CH3 CH3
O

NH3 CH3 C NH2 CH3 C NH

CH3 C CH3
-H2O
Acetone Propan-2-imine
OH

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31. How does aldehyde and ketones reacts with amines?

Aldehydes and ketones react with amines to form Schiff’s base.
R' R'
O

NH2-R" R C NH-R'' R C N-R"

R C R'
-H2O
Aldehyde / ketone Schiff's base
OH
H H
O

NH-C2H5 CH3 C N-C2H5

CH3 C H NH2-C2H5 CH3 C
-H2O
Acetaldehyde Ethyl amine N-Ethylideneethanamine
OH

CH3 CH3
O

NH-C2H5 CH3 C N-C2H5

CH3 C CH3 NH2-C2H5 CH3 C
-H2O
Acetone Ethyl amine N-Isopropylideneethanamine
OH

32. How does aldehyde and ketones reacts with hydroxylamine? [July 2017]
Aldehydes and ketones react with hydroxylamine to form oxime.
R' R'
O

NH2-OH R C NH-OH R C N-OH

R C R'
-H2O
Aldehyde / ketone Oxime
OH
H H
O

CH3 C NH-OH CH3 C N-OH

CH3 C H NH2OH
-H2O Acetaldoxime
Acetaldehyde Hydroxylamine
OH

O CH3 CH3

CH3 NH2OH CH3 C NH-OH CH3 C N-OH

CH3 C
-H2O Acetone oxime
Acetone Hydroxylamine
OH

33. Explain the reaction of aldehydes and ketones with hydrazine. [Mar 2018]
Aldehydes and ketones react with hydrazine to form corresponding hydrazone.

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R' R'
O

R C NH-NH2 R C N-NH2
R C R' NH2-NH2
-H2O
Aldehyde / ketone Hydrazone
OH

H H
O

CH3 C NH-NH2 CH3 C N-NH2

CH3 C H NH2-NH2
-H2O Acetaldehyde hydrazone
Acetaldehyde Hydrazine
OH

O CH3 CH3

NH-NH2 CH3 C N-NH2

CH3 C CH3 NH2-NH2 CH3 C
-H2O Acetone hydrazone
Acetone Hydrazine
OH

34. What is the action of phenyl hydrazine on aldehydes and ketones?

Aldehydes and ketones react with phenyl hydrazine to form corresponding phenyl
hydrazone.

O R' R'

R C R' NH2-NH-C6H5 R C NH-NH-C6H5 R C N-NH-C6H5

-H2O
Aldehyde / ketone Phenyl hydrazine Phenyl hydrazone
OH

H H
O

-H2O
CH3 C NH-NH-C6H5 CH3 C N-NH-C6H5
CH3 C H NH2-NH-C6H5
Acetaldehyde phenyl hydrazone
Acetaldehyde Phenyl hydrazine
OH

O CH3 CH3

-H2O
CH3 NH2-NH-C6H5 CH3 C NH-NH-C6H5 CH3 C N-NH-C6H5
CH3 C

Acetone Phenyl hydrazine Acetone phenyl hydrazone

OH

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35. How does aldehydes and ketones reacts with 2, 4-DNPH (Brady’s reagent or
Borsch’s reagent)?
Aldehydes and ketones react with 2,4-Dinitrophenyl hydrazine (2,4-DNPH) to form
corresponding 2,4-Dinitrophenyl hydrazone.
O2N O2N
O H

CH3 C H NH2-NH NO2 CH3 C NH-NH NO2

Acetaldehyde
OH
2,4-DNPH
-H2O

H
O2N

CH3 C N-NH NO2

Acetaldehyde 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazone

O2N O2N
O CH3

CH3 C CH3 NH2-NH NO2 CH3 C NH-NH NO2

Acetone
OH
2,4-DNPH
-H2O

CH3
O2N

CH3 C N-NH NO2

Acetone 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazone

36. What is the action of semicarbazide on aldehydes and ketones?

Aldehydes and ketones react with semicarbazide to form corresponding semicarbazone.
O R' R'

R C R' NH2-NHCONH2 R C NH-NHCONH2 R C N-NHCONH2

-H2O Semicarbazone
Aldehyde / ketone Semicarbazide
OH
O H H

CH3 C H NH2-NHCONH2 CH3 C NH-NHCONH2 CH3 C N-NHCONH2

-H2O
Acetaldehyde Semicarbazide Aecetaldehyde semicarbazone
OH

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O CH3 CH3

CH3 C CH3 NH2-NHCONH2 CH3 C NH-NHCONH2 CH3 C N-NHCONH2

-H2O
Acetone Semicarbazide Aecetone semicarbazone
OH

37. Higher ketones like acetophenone do not react with NaHSO 3. Give reason.
Due to steric hindrance

38. Explain Clemmensen’s reduction with example. [Mar 2017]

The reduction of aldehydes or ketones into corresponding hydrocarbon on treatment with
zinc-amalgam and concentrated hydrochloric acid is called Clemmensen’s reduction.
O

Zn-Hg/conc.HCl H2O
4H R CH2 R'
R C R'

Aldehyde/ketone Hydrocarbon
O

Zn-Hg/conc.HCl H2O
4H CH3 CH3
CH3 C H

Acetaldehyde Ethane

Zn-Hg/conc.HCl H2O
4H CH3 CH2 CH3
CH3 C CH3

Acetone Propane

Zn-Hg/conc.HCl H2O
4H C6H5 CH3
C6H5 C H

Benzaldehyde Toluene

39. Name the reagent used in Clemmensen’s reduction. [Mar 2019]

Zinc-amalgam and concentrated hydrochloric acid

40. What is the Wolff-Kishner reduction? [Aug 2022]

When aldehydes or ketones are reduced with hydrazine followed by heating with sodium
hydroxide or potassium hydroxide in ethylene glycol, corresponding hydrocarbons are
formed. This reaction is called Wolff-Kishner reduction.

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R R
R KOH / Ethylene glycol
-H2O CH2 N2
O H2N NH2 C N NH2
C heat
R' R'
R' Hydrazine
Hydrocarbon
Aldehyde/Ketone

CH3 CH3
CH3
-H2O KOH / Ethylene glycol CH2 N2
C N NH2
C O H2N NH2
heat
H H
H
Ethane
Acetaldehyde

CH3 CH3
CH3 KOH / Ethylene glycol
-H2O CH2 N2
O H2N NH2 C N NH2
C
heat
CH3 CH3
CH3
Propane
Acetone

C6H5 KOH / Ethylene glycol C6H5

C6H5
-H2O C N NH2 CH2 N2
C O H2N NH2 heat
H H
H
Toluene
Benzaldehyde

41. Explain the tests to distinguish aldehydes and ketones.

a) Tollen’s Test /Silver mirror test: When aldehydes are heated with Tollen’s reagent
(ammoniacal silver nitrate solution) a bright silver mirror is formed on the inner walls of
the test tube.

+
RCOO- 2Ag 2H2O 4NH3
R-CHO 2 Ag(NH3)2 3OH-
Shinning silver
mirror

2 Ag(NH3)2
+
3OH- CH3-COO- 2Ag 2H2O 4NH3
CH3-CHO
Shinning silver
Acetaldehyde mirror

b) Fehling’s test: When aldehyde is heated with mixture of Fehling’s solution- A (aqueous
CuSO4) & Fehling’s solution- B (alkaline sodium potassium tartarate) in equal proportions,
a reddish brown precipitate of cuprous oxide is formed.

R-CHO 2Cu2+ 5OH- RCOO- Cu2O 2H2O

Aldehyde reddish brown

ppt

5OH- CH3COO- Cu2O 2H2O

CH3-CHO 2Cu2+

Acetaldehyde reddish brown

ppt

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42. What is Tollen’s reagent?

Ammoniacal silver nitrate solution is called Tollen’s reagent

43. What is Fehling’s solution?

Aqueous solution of CuSO4 containing alkaline sodium potassium tartarate (Rochelle’s salt)
is called Fehling’s solution.

44. Aromatic aldehydes do not answer to Fehling’s test. Give reason

Fehling’s solution does not oxidize aromatic aldehyde. This is because, aromatic aldehydes
do not contain ∝-H atom and hence they undergo Cannizzaro’s reaction due to the
presence of sodium hydroxide.

45. Mention two tests to distinguish aldehydes and ketones.

a) Tollen’s test b) Fehling’s test

Note: Ketones are generally oxidized under vigorous conditions, i.e., strong oxidizing
agents and at elevated temperatures. Their oxidation involves carbon-carbon bond
cleavage to afford a mixture of carboxylic acids having lesser number of carbon atoms than
the parent ketone.

46. What is haloform reaction? Give an example. [Mar 2020]

Aldehydes and ketones having at least one ∝ −methyl group reacts with sodium hypohalite
(halogen in dil. NaOH) to form haloform. This reaction is called haloform reaction.
O O

CHX3 R C ONa
R C CH3 NaOX
Haloform
Sodium hypohalite
X = Cl / Br / I
O
O

CHI3 H C ONa
H C CH3 NaOI
Iodoform Sodium formate
Acetaldehyde Sodium hypoiodite
( yellow ppt.)

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O
O

CHI3 CH3 C ONa

CH3 C CH3 NaOI
Iodoform Sodium acetate
Acetone
Sodium hypoiodite
O
O

CHI3 C6H5 C ONa

C6H5 C CH3 NaOI
Iodoform Sodium benzoate
Acetophenone Sodium hypoiodite

47. What is aldol condensation? Give an example. [July 2019]

Aldehydes or ketones containing at least one ∝-hydrogen atom undergo self-condensation
in the presence of dilute NaOH to form β – hydroxy aldehyde (aldol) or β-hydroxy ketone
(ketol) respectively. The aldol or ketol formed on heating undergoes dehydration to form
∝, β – unsaturated aldehydes or ketones. This reaction is called aldol condensation.
H O
O
O
dil.NaOH
CH3 C CH2 C H
H CH2 C H
CH3 C H

Ethanal Ethanal
OH

3-Hydroxybutanal
(Aldol)

-H2O

H H O

CH3 C C C H

But-2-enal

CH3 O
O
O
Ba(OH)2
CH2 C CH3
C CH3 CH3 C
H CH2
CH3 C CH3

Propanone OH
Propanone
4-Hydroxy-4-methylpentan-2-one
(Ketol)

-H2O

CH3 H O

CH3 C C C CH3

4-Methylpent-3-en-2-one

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48. Explain cross aldol or mixed aldol condensation with an example. [July 2016]
When aldol condensation is carried out between two different aldehydes or different
ketones or between an aldehyde and ketone, it is called cross aldol condensation or mixed
aldol condensation.
If both aldehydes and ketones contain ∝ −H atoms, it gives a mixture of four products.
CH C CHO
CH3 CH CH CHO CH3 CH2

CH3 CHO But-2-enal CH3

Ethanal 2-Methylpent-2-enal
1. NaOH (from 2 moleecules of ethanal)
(from 2 moleecules of propanal)
2. Heat
CH3 CH2 CHO CH CHO
C CHO CH3 CH2 CH
CH3 CH
Propanal
Pent-2-enal
CH3
2-Methylbut-2-enal
(from 1 molecule of of ethanal & 1 molecule of propanal)

The Cross aldol condensation is successful when an aldehyde with no ∝-H atom is allowed
to recat with a ketone containing ∝ − H atom in presence of alkali. [July 2016]
H H O
O

C C C
CHO C CH3

-H2O

293K

Benzaldehyde Acetophenone 1,3-Diphenylprop-2-en-1-one

49. Explain Cannizzaro’s reaction with suitable example. [May 2022]

Aldehydes having no ∝- hydrogen atoms when heated with concentrated alkali undergo
simultaneous oxidation and reduction (disproportionation) forming salt of carboxylic acid
and alcohol. This reaction is called Cannizzaro’s reaction.

2R-CHO conc. KOH R-COOK R-CH2-OH

2H-CHO conc. KOH H-COOK CH3-OH

Formaldehyde Potassium formate Methanol

COONa CH2OH
CHO

2 conc.NaOH

Benzaldehyde Sodium benzoate Benzyl alcohol

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50. Acetaldehyde does not undergo Cannizzaro’s reaction. Why? [July 2015]
Acetaldehyde contains ∝-hydrogen atom. Hence it does not answer Cannizzaro’s reaction.

51. Formaldehyde undergoes Cannizzaro’s reaction. Why? [Mar 2017]

It does not contains ∝-hydrogen atom

52. Identify A and B in the following reaction. [Mar 2015]

CHO

KOH A B
2

COOK CH2OH
CHO

2 KOH

Benzaldehyde Potassium benzoate Benzyl alcohol

(A) (B)

53. Explain the nitration of benzaldehyde.

When benzaldehyde reacts with a mixture of concentrated HNO3 and concentrated H2SO4,
m-Nitrobenzaldehyde is formed.
CHO CHO

HNO3 / H2SO4
273-283K
NO2

Benzaldehyde m-Nitrobenzaldehyde

54. Write the uses of aldehydes and ketones.

 Formaldehyde is used in the manufacture of Bakelite.
 40% aqueous solution of formaldehyde is known as formalin. It is used to
preserving biological specimens.
 Acetaldehyde is used primarily as a starting material in the manufacture of acetic
acid, ethyl acetate, vinyl acetate, polymers and drugs.
 Benzaldehyde is used in perfume and dye industry.
 Acetone and ethyl methyl ketone are common industrial solvents.
 Many aldehydes and ketones like butyraldehyde, vanillin, acetophenone, camphor,
etc. are well known for their odours and flavours.
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CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
55. What are carboxylic acids?
Carboxylic acids are compounds containing carboxyl group (-COOH) in their molecules.

56. Write the general formula of carboxylic acids.

The general formula of a carboxylic acid is R-COOH, where R is hydrogen atom, alkyl or
aryl group.

57. Write the IUPAC and common names of following carboxylic acids.
Structure IUPAC name Common name
HCOOH Methanoic acid Formic acid
CH3COOH Ethanoic acid Acetic acid
CH3CH2COOH Propanoic acid Propionic acid
CH3CH2CH2COOH Butanoic acid n-Butyric acid
(CH3)2CHCOOH 2-Methylpropanoic acid Isobutyric acid
HOOC – COOH Ethane-1,2-dioic acid Oxalic acid
HOOC – CH2 – COOH Propane-1,3-dioic acid Malonic acid
HOOC – (CH2)2 – COOH Butane-1,4-dioic acid Succinic acid
HOOC – (CH2)3 – COOH Pentane-1,5-dioic acid Glutaric acid
HOOC – (CH2)4 – COOH Hexane-1,6-dioic acid Adipic acid
COOH Benzenecarboxylic acid Benzoic acid
(Benzoic acid)

CH2 COOH 2-Phenylethanoic acid ∝-Phenylacetic acid

COOH Benzene-1,2-dicarboxylic Phthalic acid

acid
COOH

58. Explain the structure of carboxyl group.

In carboxylic acids, the bonds to the carboxyl carbon lie in one plane and are separated by
about 120°. The carboxylic carbon is less electrophilic than carbonyl carbon because of the
possible resonance structure shown below:

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59. How would you prepare carboxylic acids from 1° alcohols?

Primary alcohols are readily oxidized to carboxylic acids with common oxidizing agents
such as potassium permanganate (KMnO4) in neutral, acidic or alkaline media or by
potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) and chromium trioxide (CrO3) in acidic media (Jones
reagent).
1. alkaline KMnO4
R-CH2-OH R-COOH
+
10 alcohol 2. H3O

CH3-CH2-OH 1. alkaline KMnO4

CH3-COOH
Ethanol 2. H3O +
Ethanoic acid

CrO3-H2SO4
CH3-(CH2)8-CH2-OH CH3-(CH2)8-COOH
Jones reagent
1-Decanol Decanoic acid

60. How would you prepare benzoic acid from alkyl benzene? [July 2014]
When alkyl benzene is oxidized with chromic acid or acidic or alkaline potassium
permanganate, benzoic acid is formed.
COOK COOH
CH3
H3O+
KMnO4 -KOH
heat
Benzoic acid
Toluene

COOK COOH
CH2-CH2-CH3
KMnO4 -KOH H3O+

heat
Benzoic acid
Propyl benzene

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61. How do you prepare carboxylic acids from nitriles and amides? [Mar 2020]
Nitriles are hydrolyzed to amides and then to acids in the presence of H+ or OH- as catalyst
O O

H+ or OH- H+ or OH- NH3

R-CN R C NH2 R C OH
H2O H2O
Nitrile Amide Carboxylic acid

O O

H+ or OH- H+ or OH-
CH3 C NH2 CH3 C OH NH3
CH3-CN
H2O H2O
Ethanamide Ethanoic acid
Ethane nitrile
O O

H+ or OH- H+ or OH- NH3

C6H5-CN C6H5 C NH2 C6H5 C OH
H2O H2O
Benzo nitrile Benzamide Benzoic acid

62. How do you prepare carboxylic acids from Grignard reagent? [July 2015]
Grignard reagents react with solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) to form an addition product,
which on hydrolysis with mineral acid gives corresponding carboxylic acids.
O O O
Dry X
ether H3O+
R C OMgX R C OH Mg
RMgX C O
Grignard dry ice OH
reagent O O
O
Dry + I
ether H3O
CH3 C OMgI CH3 C OH Mg
CH3MgI C O
OH
Methyl magnesium dry ice Ethanoic acid
iodide
O O
O Dry I
ether H3O+
C6H5MgI C6H5 C OMgI C6H5 C OH Mg
C O
Benzoic acid OH
Phenyl magnesium dry ice
iodide

63. How would you prepare carboxylic acids form esters?

Acid hydrolysis of esters gives directly carboxylic acids while base hydrolysis gives salt of
carboxylic acid, which on acidification gives corresponding carboxylic acids.

O O

H3O+
O R C OH R'OH
R C R'

Ester Carboxylic acid

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O O

H3O+ OH C2H5OH
C6H5 C O C2H5 C6H5 C

Ethyl benzoate Benzoic acid

O O

NaOH
O R' R C ONa R'OH
R C

Ester H3O+

R C OH

Carboxylic acid
O
O

NaOH ONa C2H5OH

O C2H5 CH3CH2CH2 C
CH3CH2CH2 C
Sodium butanoate
Ethyl butanoate

H3O+

CH3CH2CH2 C OH

Butanoic acid

64. How would you prepare carboxylic acids form acid halide and acid anhydride?
Acid chlorides when hydrolyzed with water give carboxylic acids or more readily hydrolyzed
with aqueous base to give carboxylate ions which on acidification provide corresponding
carboxylic acids.

O O

H 2O
Cl R C OH Cl-
R C
Acid chloride Carboxylic acid
O O

H2O
CH3 C Cl CH3 C OH Cl-
Acetyl chloride Ethanoic acid

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O
O O

H3O+
OH-/H2O -
O Cl- R C OH
R C Cl R C
Carboxylic acid
Acid chloride
O
O O

H3O+
OH-/H2O O-
Cl - CH3 C OH
CH3 C Cl CH3 C
Ethanoic acid
Acetyl chloride

When acid anhydrides are hydrolyzed carboxylic acid are formed.

O O
O O

H2O OH
R C OH R C
R C O C R
Carboxylic acid Carboxylic acid
Acid anhydride
O O
O O

H2O OH C6H5 C OH
O C C6H5 C6H5 C
C6H5 C
Benzoic acid Benzoic acid
Benzoic anhydride

O O O
O

H2O OH
C CH3 C6H5 C OH CH3 C
C6H5 C O
Benzoic acid Ethanoic acid
Benzoic ethanoic anhydride

65. Give reason: a) Carboxylic acids have higher boiling points than the
corresponding aldehyde and ketones
b) Carboxylic acids have higher boiling points than the corresponding alcohols.
c) Carboxylic acids are soluble in water.
a) Due to presence of inter molecular hydrogen bonding.
b) The O-H bond in carboxylic acid is more polarized than O-H bond in alcohols due to the
presence of electron withdrawing carbonyl group. Hence H-bonding in carboxylic acid is
stronger than in alcohols. Most of the carboxylic acid exists as dimer due to H-bonding.

O ------------ H-O

R C C R

O-H ------------ O
Dimer
c) Due to formation hydrogen bonding with water.

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66. Write the reactions to indicate the acidic nature of carboxylic acids.
 Carboxylic acids react with active metals like, Na, K, etc., to form their respective
salts and release hydrogen gas.
2RCOOH + 2Na 2RCOONa + H2
 Carboxylic acids react with alkalis like sodium hydroxide to form their respective
salts and water.
RCOOH + NaOH RCOONa + H2O
 Carboxylic acids react with weaker bases like sodium bicarbonate to form their
respective salts and to liberate CO2 with water.
RCOOH + NaHCO3 RCOONa + H2O + CO2

67. Carboxylic acids are acidic in nature. Explain.

Carboxylic acids can be easily ionized in water and exist in a dynamic equilibrium between
the carboxylate ion and hydronium ion. The carboxylate ion is stabilized by resonance.
Hence, carboxylic acids are acidic in nature.

O-
O O

R C O H3O+
R C OH H2O R C O-

68. Explain the effect of substituents on the acidity of carboxylic acids. [M 2017]
 Electron donating groups like –CH3 increases the negative charge on the oxygen of
carboxylate anion and destabilizes the carboxylate anion. Hence acidic strength
decreases.
 Electron withdrawing groups like -X decreases the negative charge on the oxygen of
carboxylate anion and stabilizes the carboxylate anion. Hence acidic strength
increases.

69. Explain the acidic strength of formic acid, acetic acid and benzoic acid.
[July 2017]
The acid strength of formic acid, acetic acid and benzoic acid is in the order.
HCOOH > C6H5COOH > CH3COOH
In benzoic acid, phenyl group causes – I effect as well as +R effect. Between these two
effects, +R effect is more predominant. Therefore, benzoic acid is less acidic than formic
acid.
In acetic acid, methyl group causes + I effect and decreases the stability of carboxylate
ion. Hence acetic acid is less acidic than benzoic acid and formic acid.

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70. Explain the acidic strength of chloroacetic acid, flouroacetic acid and
bromoacetic acid.
The acidic strength of chloroacetic acid, bromoacetic acid and flouroacetic acid follows the
order. FCH2COOH > ClCH2COOH > BrCH2COOH
As the electronegativity of halogen increases, stability of carboxylate ion increases due to
–I effect. Hence acidic strength of carboxylic acid increases. The fluorine is more
electronegative than chlorine and bromine is less electronegative than chlorine. Therefore,
FCH2COOH > ClCH2COOH > BrCH2COOH

71. Explain the acidic strength of monochloroacetic acid, dichloro acetic acid and
trichloracetic acid.
The acidic strength of monochloroacetic acid, dichloro acetic acid and trichloracetic acid
follows the order. Cl3CCOOH > Cl2CHCOOH > ClCH2COOH
As the number of halogen atoms increases, stability of carboxylate ion increases due to –I
effect. Hence acidic strength of carboxylic acid increases. Therefore, Cl3CCOOH >
Cl2CHCOOH > ClCH2COOH

72. Arrange the following compounds in the increasing order of their acidic
strength. HCOOH, CH3COOH, CH3CH2COOH.
CH3CH2COOH <CH3COOH< HCOOH

73. Arrange the following compounds in the decreasing order of their acidic
strength. HCOOH, CH3COOH, C6H 5COOH.
HCOOH> C6H 5COOH> CH3COOH

74. What is the action of ammonia on carboxylic acids? [Mar 2016]

Carboxylic acids react with ammonia to form ammonium salt of the carboxylic acid which
on heating undergoes dehydration to form amides.
O
O O

R C NH2
R C OH NH3 R C ONH4
-H2O Amide
Carboxylic acid
O O
O

ONH4 CH3 C NH2

CH3 C OH NH3 CH3 C
-H2O
Ethanoic acid Ammonium acetate Acetamide

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O
O O

C NH2
OH NH3 C ONH4
C
-H2O

Benzamide
Benzoic acid Ammonium benzoate

75. How do you convert phthalic acid into phthalimide? Give equation.
Phthalic acid reacts with ammonia to form ammonium phthalate which on further heating
gives phthalimide.
O

C
COOH COONH4 CONH2 strong
heating NH
NH3
-H2O -NH3
COONH4 CONH2 C
COOH
O
Phthalic acid Ammonium phthalate Phthalamide Phthalimide

76. What is the action of PCl3 on carboxylic acids? Give an example.

Carboxylic acids react with phosphorous trichloride to form corresponding acid chlorides.
3R–COOH + PCl3 3R–COCl + H3PO3
3CH3–COOH + PCl3 3CH3–COCl + H3PO3
Acetic acid Acetyl chloride
3C6H5–COOH + PCl3 3C6H5–COCl + H3PO3
Benzoic acid Benzoyl chloride

77. What is the action of PCl5 on carboxylic acids? Give an example. [July 2014]
Carboxylic acids react with phosphorous pentachloride to form corresponding acid chloride.
R-COOH + PCl5 R-COCl + POCl3 + HCl
CH3–COOH + PCl5 CH3–COCl + POCl3 + HCl
Acetic acid Acetyl chloride
C6H5–COOH + PCl5 C6H5–COCl + POCl3 + HCl
Benzoic acid Benzoyl chloride

78. How does carboxylic acid reacts with thionyl chloride?

Carboxylic acids react with thionyl chloride (SOCl 2) in presence pyridine to form
corresponding acid chloride.
R-COOH + SOCl2 R-COCl + SO2 + HCl

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CH3–COOH + SOCl2 CH3–COCl + SO2 + HCl

Acetic acid Acetyl chloride
C6H5–COOH + SOCl2 C6H5–COCl + SO2 + HCl
Benzoic acid Benzoyl chloride

79. What happens when carboxylic acids are heated with P 2O5 or Conc.H2SO4?
When carboxylic acids are heated with phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) or conc.H2SO4,
dehydration takes place forming acid anhydride.
O O O
O

H+
HO C R O C R H2O
R C OH R C
or P2O5
Carboxylic acid Acid anhydride
O O O
O
H+
HO C CH3 O C CH3 H2O
CH3 C OH CH3 C
or P2O5
Ethanoic anhydride
Ethanoic acid Ethanoic acid

80. What is esterification reaction? Give an example. [Aug 2022]

When a carboxylic acid is heated with alcohol in the presence of concentrated sulphuric
acid or HCl gas as catalyst, an ester is obtained. This reaction is called esterification.
O O

H+
R C O R' H2O
R C OH H O R'

Carboxylic acid Alcohol Ester

O O

H+
CH3 C OH H O C2H5 CH3 C O C2H5 H2O
Ethyl acetate
Ethanol
O O

H+
H O C2H5 C O C2H5 H2O
C OH
Ethanol
Benzoic acid Ethyl benzoate

81. What happens when carboxylic acids are reduced with LiAlH4 or diborane
(B2H6)?
When carboxylic acids are reduced with LiAlH 4 or diborane (B2H6), primary alcohols are
formed.

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1. LiAlH4 /ether or B2H6 R CH2 OH

R C OH
+
2. H3O
Carboxylic acid 10 alcohol
O

1. LiAlH4 /ether or B2H6

OH CH3 CH2 OH
CH3 C
2. H3O+
Ethanol
Acetic acid

82. What is decarboxylation reaction? Give an example.

When sodium salt of mono carboxylic acid is heated with the sodalime (NaOH + CaO in the
ratio of 3:1), decarboxylation takes place to form hydrocarbon.

NaOH + CaO Na2CO3

R-COONa RH
Sodium carboxylate heat Hydrocarbon

NaOH + CaO
CH3-COONa CH4 Na2CO3
heat
Sodium acetate Methane

NaOH + CaO C6H6 Na2CO3

C6H5-COONa
heat Benzene
Sodium benzoate

83. Name one decarboxylating agent. [June 2024]

Soda lime (NaOH + CaO in the ratio of 3:1)

84. Explain Kolbe’s electrolytic method with example.

An aqueous solution of sodium or potassium salt of a carboxylic acid on electrolysis gives
alkane containing even number of carbon atoms at the anode. The reaction is called
Kolbe’s electrolytic method.

Electrolysis 2NaOH
CH3 CH3 2CO2 H2
2CH3COONa 2H2O
Ethane
Sodium acetate

85. Name the method to eliminate the carboxylic acid from an organic compound.
Decarboxylation or Kolbe’s electrolytic method

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86. Explain Hell – Volhard – Zelinsky (HVZ) reaction with example. [Mar 2015]
When carboxylic acid containing ∝- hydrogen atom is treated with chlorine or bromine in
presence of small amount of red phosphorus, ∝- halocarboxylic acid is obtained. The
reaction is called Hell – Volhard – Zelinsky (HVZ) reaction.

1. X2 / red P COOH
COOH R CH
R CH2
2. H2O
Carboxylic acid X
- Halocarboxylic acid

X = Cl, or Br
1. Cl2 / red P COOH
COOH CH3 CH
CH3 CH2
2. H2O
Propanoic acid
Cl
2-Chloropropanoic acid

1. Br2 / red P
CH3 COOH BrCH2 COOH
2. H2O
2-Bromoethanoic acid
Ethanoic acid

87. Complete the following reaction

NaOH + CaO
Na2CO3
a) RCOONa

Cl2 /Red P HCl

b) CH3COOH

NaOH + CaO
RH Na2CO3
a) RCOONa

Cl2 /Red P Cl-CH2-COOH HCl

b) CH3COOH

88. Benzoic acid undergoes electrophilic substitution reaction at m– position.

Explain.
In benzoic acid, -COOH is electron withdrawing group. The –COOH group decreases the
electron density in o- and p-positions & directing incoming substituent to meta position.
Therefore, carboxylic acid group acts as a meta directing group.

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OH OH OH
OH OH

O C O C O
C
C O C O

89. Explain the nitration of benzoic acid. [July 2017]

When benzoic acid reacts with a mixture of concentrated sulphuric acid and concentrated
nitric acid, m-Nitrobenzoic acid is formed.
COOH
COOH

conc.H2SO4 H2 O
HNO3

NO2

Benzoic acid m-Nitrobenzoic acid

90. Explain the bromination of benzoic acid.

When benzoic acid reacts with bromine in the presence of ferric bromide, m-Bromobenzoic
acid is formed.
COOH
COOH

FeBr3 HBr
Br2

Br

Benzoic acid m-Bromobenzoic acid

91. Benzoic acid does not undergo Friedel Craft’s reaction. Give reason.
Because the –COOH group is a deactivating group and catalyst anhydrous AlCl3 (Lewis
acid) gets bonded to carboxylic group.

92. Write the uses of carboxylic acids.

 Methanoic acid is used in rubber, textile, dyeing, and leather industry.
 Ethanoic acid is used as a solvent and as vinegar in food industry.
 Hexanedioic acid is used in the manufacture of Nylon-6,6.
 Sodium benzoate is used as a food preservative.
 Higher fatty acids are used in the manufacture of soaps and detergents.

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93. Complete the following reactions. [Mar 2015]

COCl
H2
anhy.AlCl3
CH3COCl d) Pd-BaSO4
a)

O
CHO HNO3/H2SO4
b) e) 273-283K
CH3 C CH3 NH2OH

dry ether
c) CH3MgBr CO2
H3O+

Answer:
COCH3
anhy.AlCl3
a) CH3COCl

Acetophenone
O CH3

b)
CH3 C CH3 NH2OH CH3 C N-OH

Acetone oxime
O
Br
dry ether
c) CH3MgBr CO2 CH3 C OH Mg
H3O+
OH
Ethanoic acid

CHO
COCl
H2

d) Pd-BaSO4

Benzaldehyde

CHO

CHO HNO3/H2SO4
e) 273-283K
NO2

m-Nitrobenzaldehyde

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MULTIPLE CHOICE QUEESTIONS (MCQ)

1. Benzaldehyde can be prepared by the action of chromyl chloride on the toluene
dissolved in CS2. The reaction is known as
a) Etard’s reaction b) Hofmann’s reaction
c) HVZ reaction d) Cannizzaro’s reaction

2. Formaldehyde on shaking with conc. NaOH solution undergoes

a) Aldol Condensation b) Clemmensen’s reduction
c) Cannizzaro’s reaction d) Fehling’s test

3.Which of the following reagent cannot oxidise primary alcohols to aldehydes?

(a) CrO3 in anhydrous medium (b) KMnO4 in acidic medium.

(c) Pyridinium chlorochromate (d) Heat in the presence of Cu at 573K.

4. Formaldehyde [HCHO] undergoes Cannizzaro’s reaction because

(a) Contain ∝-hydrogen atom (b) Does not contains ∝-hydrogen atom
(c) Contain keto group (d) Does not contains methyl group

5. Aldehydes and ketones form addition products with

a) Phenyl hydrazine b) Hydrazine c) Semicarbazide d) Hydrogen cyanide

6. The Cannizzaro’s reaction is not given by

a) Trimethyl acetaldehyde b) Benzaldehyde
c) Acetaldehyde d) Formaldehyde

7. Fehling’s test is positive for

a) Acetaldehyde b) Benzaldehyde c) Phenol d) Ethanol

8. In Etard’s reaction, toluene is oxidized to benzaldehyde using

a) H2O2 b) Cl2 c) CrO2Cl2 d) KMnO4

9. The compound formed by the reaction of acetaldehyde with acidic KMnO4 is

a) CH3OH b) HCOOH c) CH3COOH d) CH3CH2OH

12. Which of the following does not give reddish brown precipitate with Fehling’s solution?
a) Formaldehyde b) D – Glucose c) Acetone d) Acetaldehyde

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13. Aldehydes and ketones can be distinguished by

a) Molisch test b) Solubility in water c) Iodoform test d) Tollen’s test

14. Acetone and acetaldehyde are

a) Functional isomers b) Position isomers
c) Chain isomers d) Not isomers

15. Benzaldehyde is different from aliphatic aldehydes in it reaction towards

a) Fehling’s reaction b) Schiff’s reagent
c) Tollen’s reagent d) NaHSO3 solution

16. Acetal formation from an aldehyde and alcohol is favoured by the presence of
a) alc. KOH b) Dry HCl c) Conc. H2SO4 d) H2O

17. If formaldehyde and KOH are heated, we get

a) Ethyl formate b) Acetylene c) Methane d) Methyl alcohol

18. Methanal is
a) HCHO b) CH3OH c) CH3COCH3 d) CH3CHO

19. Identify the organic compound which, on heating with strong solution of NaOH partly
converted into an acid salt and partly into alcohol
a) Benzaldehyde b) Acetone c) Acetaldehyde d) Benzyl alcohol

20. The IUPAC name of CH3COCH(CH3)2 is

a) Isopropyl methyl ketone b) 2 - Methyl - 3- butanone
c) 4 - Methyl isopropyl ketone d) 3 - Methyl -2 - butanone

21. Which one of the following is reduced with zinc amalgam and hydrochloric acid to give
corresponding hydrocarbon?
a) Ethyl acetate b) Acetic acid c) Acetamide d) Acetaldehyde

22. Aldol condensation is given by:

(a) Formaldehyde (b) Acetone (c) Ethanol (d) Benzaldehyde

23. Benzaldehyde is obtained by the oxidation of toluene using:

a) Acidified potassium dichromate b) Chromyl chloride
c) Acidified potassium permanganate d) Alkaline potassium permanganate

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24. Tollen’s reagent contains:

a) [Ag(NH3)2]+ b) [Cu(OH)4]2- c) Ag2O d) Cu2O

25. During the nitration of benzoic acid, the main product formed is:
a) o- Nitrobenzoic acid b) m-Nitrobenzoic acid
c) p-Nitrobenzoic acid d) A mixture of o- and p-Nitrobenzoic acid

26. Among the following acids which has the lowest pKa value?
a) CH3COOH b) HCOOH c) (CH3)2CHCOOH d) CH3CH2COOH

27. Methyl magnesium iodide adds on carbon dioxide which on hydrolysis gives:
a) Methanoic acid b) Butanoic acid c) Propanoic acid d) Ethanoic acid

28. The reagent used in Clemmensen’s reduction is:

a) conc. H2SO4 b) Zn - Hg/conc. HCl c) aq. KOH d) alc. KOH

29. The product formed when hydroxylamine condenses with a carbonyl compound, is
called
a) Hydrazone b) Oxime c) Cyanohydrin d) Acetal

30. Fehling solution contains:

a) Copper sulphate + Rochelle salt + NaOH
b) Copper sulphate + Rochelle salt + sodium carbonate
c) Copper sulphate + sodium citrate + NaOH
d) Copper sulphate + sodium citrate + sodium carbonate

31. The reagent with which both acetaldehyde and acetone react is
a) I2/ NaOH b) Fehling’s solution
c) Carbonic acid d) Tollen’s reagent

32. The weakest acid among the following is

a) CHCl2COOH b) CH3COOH c) ClCH2COOH d) CCl3COOH

33. Of the following four reactions, formic acid and acetic acid differ in which respect?
a) Replacement of hydrogen by sodium b) formation of ester with alcohol
c) Reduction of Fehling’s solution d) Blue litmus reaction

34. Which reagent will bring about the conversion of carboxylic acids into esters?
a) C2H5OH b) C2H5OH + dry HCl c) LiAlH4 d) Al(OC2H5)3
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35. Which of the following orders of relative strengths of acids is correct?

a) FCH2COOH > ClCH2COOH > BrCH2COOH
b) ClCH2COOH > BrCH2COOH > FCH2COOH
c) BrCH2COOH > ClCH2COOH > FCH2COOH
d) ClCH2COOH > FCH2COOH > BrCH2COOH

36. A red precipitate of cuprous oxide is obtained when Fehling’s solution is heated with
a) Citric acid b) Formic acid c) Acetic acid d) Benzoic acid

37. Dehydrating agent in esterification is

a) P2O5 b) An. AlCl3 c) An. CaCl2 d) conc. H2SO4

38. Which one of the following contains acetic acid?

a) Vinegar b) Molasses c) Coal tar d) Butter

39. Heating sodium benzoate with sodalime yields

a) Benzene b) Benzoic acid c) Calcium benzoate d) Phenol

40. Treatment of benzoic acid with Br2/FeBr3 will give

a) o - Bromobenzoic acid b) p - Bromobenzoic acid
c) m - Bromobenzoic acid d) 2, 4,6 - Tribromobenzoic acid

41. The product X of the following reaction is

Cl2 / red P
CH3CH2COOH X
a) CH3CH(Cl) COOH b) CH2(Cl)CH2COOH
c) CH3CH2Cl d) CH3CH2COCl

42. Iodoform reaction is answered by all, except

a) CH3CHO b) CH3COCH3 c) CH3COC6H5 d) HCHO

43. Ethanal is treated with a primary alcohol in presence of HCl gas. The reaction is known
as
a) Aldol condensation b) Acetal formation
c) Cross- aldol condensation d) Cannizzaro’s reaction

44. Formation of cyanohydrin from a ketone is an example of

a) Nucleophilic addition b) Electrophilic addition
c) Nucleophilic substitution d) Electrophilic substitution
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RNS PUC 2024-25

45. The reaction is called as

red P
R CH2 CH COOH
RCH2CH2COOH
Br2
Br

a) Reimer – Tiemann reaction b) Hell – Volhard -Zelinsky reaction

c) Cannizzaro reaction d) Sandmeyer’s reaction

46. In the following reaction, product ‘P’ is

O
H2
P
R C Cl Pd- BaSO4
a) RCH2OH b) RCOOH c) RCHO d) RCH3

47. In a reaction, RCHO is reduced to RCH 3 using zinc amalgam and concentrated HCl. The
reaction is known as
(a) Cannizzaro reaction (b) Clemmensen’s reduction
(c) Wolff – Kishner reduction (d) Etard’s reaction

48. The compound, does not forms an adduct with sodium bisulphate is
(a) Benzaldehyde (b) Acetone (c) Acetophenone (d) Acetaldehyde

49. Silver Mirror test is given by which one of the following compounds?
(a) Benzophenone (b) Acetaldehyde (c) Acetone (d) Formaldehyde

50. Which one of the following has no action on Fehling’s solution?

(a) Formaldehyde (b) Formic Acid (c) Acetaldehyde (d) Benzaldehyde

51. The decarboxylating agent is

(a) NaOH + CaO (b) Conc.H2SO4 (c) NaOH (d) alc.KOH

52. Name of the below reaction is

CHO
COCl H2

Pd / BaSO4

(a) Rosenmund’s reduction (b) Clemmensen’s reduction

(c) Wolff – Kishner reduction (d) Etard’s reaction

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RNS PUC 2024-25

53. The reducing reagent used in the Stephen reduction is

a) SnCl2/HCl b) Zn - Hg/conc. HCl c) anhy. AlCl3 d) CrO2Cl2

54. What is the product X in the following reaction?

CO, HCl
X
anhy.AlCl3 /CuCl

Benzene

c) d) COOH
a) CH3 b) Cl CHO

55. Ketones are less reactive towards nucleophilic addition reaction. This is due to
a) Steric effect b) Hydrogen bonding
c) Dipole-dipole interaction d) Resonance effect

56. Ammoniacal silver nitrate solution is called

a) Fehling’s solution b) Schiff’s reagent
c) Benedict reagent d) Tollen’s reagent

57. What is the product P in the following reaction?

CH3

i) KMnO4 -KOH
P
ii) H3O+

Toluene

a) OH COCH3 c) COOH d) CH2OH

b)

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Dr. Ramanath Prabhu Page 40