PYQ Vault

Playbook

Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

109 q - 2.54/paper - 3% HARD. The named-reaction chapter: learn each reaction both ways, reagent to product and back.

Questions in the bank
109
q/paper (2024–25 papers)
2.54
Tagged HARD
3%
Subtopics
5

Strand: Reactions

When you’ll see it

A C=O group made, removed, tested or reacted — or a named reaction whose product is asked.

How this chapter is tested

109 q at 2.54 a paper, 3% HARD. This is the named-reaction chapter, and the prep is a list learned in both directions. Preparation (30 q): Rosenmund (acid chloride + H₂/Pd–BaSO₄ → aldehyde), Stephen (nitrile → aldehyde), Etard (toluene + CrO₂Cl₂ → benzaldehyde), Gattermann–Koch.

Reduction and tests (20 q): Clemmensen (Zn–Hg/HCl) and Wolff–Kishner (NH₂NH₂/KOH) take C=O to CH₂; Tollens' and Fehling's detect aldehydes; the iodoform test needs CH₃CO–. Cannizzaro needs an aldehyde with no α-hydrogen.

The sub-skills

The distinct skills inside the chapter, in the order to learn them.

  • Making carbonyls

    Rosenmund, Stephen, Etard, Gattermann–Koch, ozonolysis, and oxidation of alcohols.

  • Removing C=O

    Clemmensen (acid) and Wolff–Kishner (base) → CH₂.

  • Tests

    Tollens' (silver mirror), Fehling's (red Cu₂O), iodoform (CH₃CO– or CH₃CH(OH)–).

  • Addition and condensation

    HCN, NaHSO₃, and aldol condensation (needs α-H); Cannizzaro (no α-H).

Traps to expect

Distractor shapes this chapter reuses. The Traps page covers the patterns that cut across chapters.

  • Aldol against Cannizzaro

    Aldol needs an α-hydrogen; Cannizzaro works only without one. HCHO and benzaldehyde give Cannizzaro, ethanal gives aldol.

  • Ketones and Tollens'

    Ketones do not reduce Tollens' or Fehling's reagent — the test that tells an aldehyde from a ketone.

Learn it before you drill it

This chapter has full teaching notes — foundations, worked examples, self-checks and a per-subtopic mastery checkpoint. Read the notes once, then drill subtopic by subtopic below.

Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic Acids notes

Drill every aldehydes, ketones and carboxylic acids question

109 questions from the bank, scoped to 5 bundled subtopics.

Drill the 109 questions

Drill one subtopic at a time

The 5 subtopics this playbook covers, in catalog order.

  • Nomenclature and Classification of Aldehydes, Ketones and Carboxylic AcidsDrill
  • Oxidation, Reduction and Identification TestsDrill
  • Preparation Methods of Aldehydes and KetonesDrill
  • Nucleophilic Addition and Condensation ReactionsDrill
  • Carboxylic Acids, Properties, Reactions and DerivativesDrill

Related playbooks

Often paired with this one — the technique, the trap or the taxonomy overlaps. Drill these next.