Q142 / 200 · MHT CET - Medical 2026 (25 April Shift 2) · Chemistry

When a mixture of an aldehyde and Fehling solution is boiled in hot water, a red precipitate is formed. Here the obtained red precipitate is of -

  • Correct answer
    A
    Cuprous oxide
  • B
    Cupric chloride
  • C
    Cuprous hydroxide
  • D
    Cupric sulphate

Solution

Fehling's solution is an alkaline solution of copper(II) sulfate complexed with tartrate ions. When an aliphatic aldehyde is heated with Fehling's solution, the aldehyde is oxidized to the corresponding carboxylate anion, and the cupric ions ($Cu^{2+}$) are reduced to cuprous oxide ($Cu_2O$).

The chemical reaction is given by:
$R-CHO + 2Cu^{2+} + 5OH^{-} \rightarrow R-COO^{-} + Cu_2O \downarrow + 3H_2O$

The $Cu_2O$ (cuprous oxide) formed appears as a red precipitate.

Answer: Cuprous oxide

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'A'.

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