Tollens' Test (Silver Mirror Test) - Oxidation

Concept: Mild oxidation using ammoniacal silver nitrate solution. The reagent acts as a weak oxidizing agent that selectively targets aldehydes, precipitating out a reflective metallic silver mirror coating along the inner walls of the test tube.

Notation:

• $$[\text{Ag}(\text{NH}_3)_2]^+$$ = Tollens' reagent active complex;
• $$\text{Positive for all aldehydes}$$ = Includes both aliphatic and aromatic variations;
• $$\text{Negative for ketones}$$ = Ketones resist mild oxidation due to strong carbon-carbon bonds.