CHEMISTRY
JAMB 2011 - Question 48
Chemistry 2011 JAMB Past Questions - Question 48: Two organic compounds K and L were treated with a few drops of Fehling's solution respectively. K formed a brick-red precipitate while L remains unaffected. The compound K is an
Choose the correct answers from the options given.
A:
B:
C:
D:
Correct Answer
D
Explanation
The observation that compound K forms a brick-red precipitate with Fehling's solution indicates the presence of an aldehyde functional group. Fehling's solution is commonly used to test for the presence of reducing sugars, such as aldehydes and certain ketones, in organic compounds. When an aldehyde is present, it reacts with the copper ions in Fehling's solution to form a brick-red precipitate of copper(I) oxide.
Therefore, compound K is most likely an alkanal, also known as an aldehyde.