What is the Difference Between Propanal and Propanone?

The main difference between propanal and propanone lies in their functional groups and chemical properties. Here are the key differences:

1. Functional Group: Propanal has an aldehydic functional group, while propanone is a methyl ketone.
2. Chemical Formula: Propanal has the chemical formula CH3CH2CHO, while propanone has the chemical formula CH3COCH3.
3. Reactivity: Propanal is an aldehyde and reacts with sodium hypoiodite to form a yellow-colored precipitate of iodoform. In contrast, propanone does not form a yellow-colored precipitate with sodium hypoiodite.
4. Boiling and Melting Points: Although propanal and propanone have the same molecular mass, their melting and boiling points are different due to their different structures.

A simple chemical test to distinguish between propanal and propanone is the iodoform test. Propanal reacts with sodium hypoiodite to form a yellow-colored precipitate of iodoform, while propanone does not.

Comparative Table: Propanal vs Propanone

Here is a table comparing the differences between propanal and propanone:

Both propanal and propanone are organic compounds with carbonyl groups. Propanal is a saturated aldehyde with the chemical formula CH3CH2CHO, while propanone is a ketone with the chemical formula CH3COCH3. They have the same molecular formula but different structures, making them structural isomers. The key difference between propanal and propanone is the presence of an aldehyde group in propanal and a ketone group in propanone.

Propanal and propanone can be distinguished by the following tests:

1. Tollen's Test: Propanal, being an aldehyde, reduces Tollen's reagent, while propanone, being a ketone, does not.
2. Fehling's Test: Propanal, being an aldehyde, reduces Fehling's solution to a red-brown precipitate of Cu2O, while propanone, being a ketone, does not.
3. Iodoform Test: Propanal does not give iodoform test when it reacts with sodium hypoiodite, while propanone, being a methyl ketone, responds to this test and forms a yellow precipitate.