Chemguide: Support for CIE A level Chemistry


Learning outcome 10.5(e)

This statement is about the use of the triiodomethane (iodoform) reaction in picking out the presence of the CH3CO- group in aldehydes and ketones.

Before you go on, you should find and read the statement in your copy of the syllabus.


You will find all of this on the page about the triiodomethane reaction with aldehydes and ketones.

You will probably be doing this reaction at much the same time as you do the equivalent reaction with alcohols, and similar things apply:

  • You only need to learn the reaction using iodine and sodium hydroxide solution.

  • The most important part of the page is the section headed "What the triiodomethane (iodoform) reaction shows".

  • You need to know the structures of both organic products of the reaction.

  • You could be asked for the equation for the reaction (although I don't think it is very likely). Either learn the final equation on the page, or make sure that you understand how you could build it up if you need to.


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© Jim Clark 2011 (modified August 2013)