Oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids with Ag2O
Description: When Ag2O is added to aldehydes, carboxylic acids are formed. This results in the formation of silver metal (“silver mirror”) a reaction known as the Tollens test.
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Real-Life Examples:
Org. Synth. 1953, 33, 94
DOI Link: 10.15227/orgsyn.033.0094
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Org. Synth. 1950, 30, 101
DOI Link: 10.15227/orgsyn.030.0101
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Will ketones undergo oxidation with Ag2O?
No, only aldehydes. The only way ketones will undergo oxidation is with a reagent like mCPBA (doing the Baeyer-Villiger) or with something like KMnO4
Could this also be done with other oxidation agents?
Sure you can use any other mild or strong oxidising agents like Fehling Solution, HNO3,acidic/basic KMnO4/K2Cr2O7 and many more..
pretty sure acidified Potassium DiChromate does the same thing :)
Is this reagent the same as Ag(NH3)2+?
The oxidation state of Ag+ is the same, and there will be some similar properties, but they are not the same thing. Ag(NH3)2+ is much better at forming complexes with alkenes, for example.