Which of the following is a reducing agent for aldehydes?
Practice Questions
Q1
Which of the following is a reducing agent for aldehydes?
H2
KMnO4
Na2Cr2O7
HCl
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
Which of the following is a reducing agent for aldehydes?
Correct Answer: Hydrogen gas (H2)
Step 1: Understand what a reducing agent is. A reducing agent is a substance that donates electrons to another substance, causing the other substance to be reduced.
Step 2: Identify what aldehydes are. Aldehydes are organic compounds that contain a carbonyl group (C=O) with at least one hydrogen atom attached to the carbon.
Step 3: Know that when aldehydes are reduced, they turn into alcohols. This means that the carbonyl group (C=O) is converted into a hydroxyl group (C-OH).
Step 4: Recognize that hydrogen gas (H2) can donate electrons to aldehydes. When H2 interacts with an aldehyde, it adds hydrogen atoms to the carbonyl carbon, reducing it to an alcohol.
Step 5: Conclude that hydrogen gas (H2) is a reducing agent for aldehydes because it helps convert them into alcohols.