Reactions of Aldehydes & Ketones (Cambridge (CIE) AS Chemistry): Revision Note

Reactions of Aldehydes & Ketones

Reduction of aldehyde & ketones

• Aldehydes and ketones can be reduced by reducing agents such as NaBH₄ or LiAlH₄

• Aldehydes are reduced to primary alcohols

• Ketones are reduced to secondary alcohols

Reduction of ethanal and propanone

Nucleophilic addition with HCN

• Aldehydes and ketones can undergo nucleophilic addition with hydrogen cyanide, HCN

• The cyanide ion, CN^-, acts as a nucleophile and adds across the C-O bond

• Aldehydes and ketones react with HCN, KCN as catalyst and heat to produce hydroxynitriles

  • Hydroxynitriles are nitriles containing a hydroxy, -OH, group

Nucleophilic addition of HCN to ethanal and propanone