Reactions of aldehydes and ketones : oxidation reduction nucleophilic addition 1)Aldehydes are easily oxidized, ketones are not. 2)Aldehydes are more reactive in nucleophilic additions than ketones.

Aldehydes & ketones, reactions: 1)Oxidation 2)Reduction 3)Addition of cyanide 4)Addition of derivatives of ammonia 5)Addition of alcohols 6)Cannizzaro reaction 7)Addition of Grignard reagents 8) (Alpha-halogenation of ketones) 9) (Addition of carbanions)

1) Oxidation Aldehydes (very easily oxidized!) CH 3 CH 2 CH 2 CH=O + KMnO 4, etc.  CH 3 CH 2 CH 2 COOH carboxylic acid CH 3 CH 2 CH 2 CH=O + Ag +  CH 3 CH 2 CH 2 COO - + Ag Tollen’s test for easily oxidized compounds like aldehydes. (AgNO 3, NH 4 OH(aq)) Silver mirror

Ketones only oxidize under vigorous conditions via the enol.

2) Reduction: a)To alcohols

Reduction b) To hydrocarbons

3) Addition of cyanide

4) Addition of derivatives of ammonia

5) Addition of alcohols

6)Cannizzaro reaction. (self oxidation/reduction) a reaction of aldehydes without α-hydrogens

7) Addition of Grignard reagents.

aldehydeRCOOHketone ROR alkyne alkene RH RX ROH Alcohols are central to organic syntheses