This is a demonstration and explanation of Tollen's test to distinguish between aldehydes and ketones.


The experiment featured in this video uses formaldehyde (methanal) and acetone (propanone) to show the result of the Tollen's test on both.


There is a brief description of how Tollen's reagent is made and an short explanation of why an aldehyde will show a positive result but a ketone will not.