The TCICA Test for Distinguishing Aldehydes and Ketones
Gene A. Hiegel,* Christine Juska, and Michelle Kim
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Califonia State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92834-6866
Simple aldehydes and ketones can easily be distinguished by their rate of reaction with trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCICA). The test is conducted by adding the unknown to a solution of TCICA in acetonitrile containing hydrochloric acid and methanol and watching for a precipitate to form. Aliphatic aldehydes react rapidly, aromatic aldehydes generally take longer, and ketones do not react within a laboratory period.
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Citation
Hiegel, Gene A.; Juska, Christine; Kim, Michelle. J. Chem. Educ.2001 78 1105.
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