Fundamentholfundamenthol
JEE Main2026Jan 23, Shift 1Chemistry
Q.

From the given following (A to D) cyclic structures, those which will not react with Tollen's reagent are :

  1. A

    B and D

  2. B

    A and D

  3. C

    A and B

  4. D

    B and C

Solution

Tollen's reagent oxidises aldehydes (and in carbohydrate chemistry, the open-chain aldehyde form that exists in equilibrium with cyclic hemiacetals).

A cyclic sugar with a free anomeric —OH is a hemiacetal, which opens to expose the aldehyde — it gives a positive Tollen's test (silver mirror).

A cyclic sugar with the anomeric —OH replaced by —OR is a glycoside / acetal. It cannot ring-open under neutral or basic conditions, so it does not expose an aldehyde and gives a negative Tollen's test.

Structures (B) and (C) are glycosides → no reaction. Structures (A) and (D) are hemiacetals → positive test.

B and C.

Practice more Chemistry

Concept-wise practice with instant solutions on Fundamenthol.

Start practicing →