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Fehling Test

Fehling's test is a widely used method for detecting reducing sugars and differentiating between aldehydes and ketones. The test involves mixing two solutions, Fehling's A and B, to create a deep blue solution that reacts with aldehydes to produce a reddish-brown precipitate if positive. While effective for identifying certain sugars and glucose in urine, the test has limitations, such as not detecting aromatic aldehydes and requiring an alkaline environment.

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496 views8 pages

Fehling Test

Fehling's test is a widely used method for detecting reducing sugars and differentiating between aldehydes and ketones. The test involves mixing two solutions, Fehling's A and B, to create a deep blue solution that reacts with aldehydes to produce a reddish-brown precipitate if positive. While effective for identifying certain sugars and glucose in urine, the test has limitations, such as not detecting aromatic aldehydes and requiring an alkaline environment.

Uploaded by

sharfamatloob7890
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

FEHLING TEST

For detection of reducing carbohydrates


INTRODUCTION
• One of the most popular
tests used for the
estimation or detection
of reducing sugars and
non-reducing sugars is
the Fehling’s test.
• The test developed by
German chemist H.C.
Von Fehling is also used
to differentiate between
ketone
functional groups and
water-soluble
carbohydrates.
FEHLING’S SOLUTION
• Fehling’s test consists of a solution that is usually prepared fresh in
laboratories.
• Initially, the solution exists in the form of two separate solutions which
are labelled as Fehling’s A and Fehling’s B.
• Fehling’s A is a solution containing copper(II) sulphate, which is blue.
• Fehling’s B is a clear liquid consisting of potassium sodium tartrate
(Rochelle salt) and a strong alkali, usually sodium hydroxide. During the test
solutions A and B are prepared individually and stored.
• The two solutions are later mixed in equal volumes to get the final
Fehling solution which is deep blue.
• The deep blue ingredient is the bis(tartrate) complex of Cu2+. The
tartrate tetra-anions serve as a chelating agent in the solution.
PROCEDURE
• The procedure can be conducted as follows;
• Add the sample in a dry test tube.
• Distilled water should be kept in another tube as control.
• Fehling’s solution is to be added in the tubes.
• The tubes must be kept in water bath.
• Make observations and record if there is any development of red
precipitate.
• Notably, the result is positive if there is a formation of reddish brown
precipitate while the result is negative if there is no indication of such
change.
REACTION

In Fehling’s solution the reaction between copper(II) ions and aldehyde is


represented as;
RCHO + 2 Cu2+ + 5 OH− → RCOO− + Cu2O + 3 H2O
When tartrate is added:
RCHO + 2 Cu(C4H4O6)22− + 5 OH− → RCOO− + Cu2O + 4
C4H4O62− + 3 H2O
PRINCIPLE
• The principle of the Fehling
test is based on the fact
that the aldehyde group
of sugar is oxidised by
complexed copper ions
to form acid.
• The red copper (I) oxide
then precipitates, which
is an indicator for the
redox reaction.
• Sugars can exist in
aqueous solution as a ring
shape or as an open chain
molecule.
REQUIREMENTS

Glassware:
• Pipettes
• Test tubes
• Test tube stand
Equipment:
• Water bath
APPLICATIONS & LIMITATIONS

• Used to determine whether a carbonyl group is an aldehyde or a ketone.


• Aldehydes tend to get oxidized and give positive result. Ketones apart
from alpha-hydroxy-ketones do not react.
• Used as a general test for monosaccharides where a positive result is
obtained for aldose monosaccharides and ketose monosaccharides.
• Used in the medical field to determine the presence of glucose in urine.
It helps to know whether the person is diabetic or not.
• Limitations of Fehling’s Test
• Aromatic aldehydes cannot be detected by this test.
• This reaction takes place only in an alkaline environment.
• In an acidic environment, the copper (II) ions would be stabilized and
not easily oxidized, thus failing the reaction.

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