Aldehydes have higher activity, while ketones have lower activity. In terms of oxidation, the difference is obvious. Because aldehyde carbonyl has a hydrogen atom, it is sensitive to oxidants, and even some weak oxidants can oxidize aldehydes.

1, strong oxidant oxidation

Usually, potassium dichromate and potassium permanganate form corresponding carboxylic acids.

Take potassium permanganate as an example:

The negative oxygen charge on permanganate attacks the positively charged carbonyl carbon in aldehyde carbonyl group, and then a pair of electrons in the carbon-oxygen double bond are transferred to oxygen. At this time, a pair of negatively charged oxygen attacks the water molecules in the system. Subsequently, the carbon-hydrogen bond on the carbonyl group is transferred, and at the same time, permanganate loses an oxygen and leaves in the form of Mno3 negative ions to obtain molecular acid.