Which of the following specific classes of compounds will give a positive silver mirror test upon he — Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Tollens' reagent ($[Ag(NH_3)_2]^+$) oxidizes both aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes to carboxylates. It also uniquely oxidizes Formic acid (which contains a hidden aldehyde moiety). Furthermore, terminal alkynes react with Tollens' reagent to form white precipitates of silver acetylides (an acid-base reaction, not strictly oxidation, but it is a positive physical test). Ketones do not react.