JEE Main · 2025 · 28 Jan 2025 · Shift 1 · Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

Both acetaldehyde and acetone carry a methyl group next to the carbonyl, so both give a positive iodoform test with $I_2/NaOH$ (A holds). Both also have $\alpha$-hydrogens, so both undergo base-catalysed aldol condensation (C holds) and both are reduced to the corresponding alkane by Zn(Hg)/HCl, i.e. Clemmensen reduction (E holds). Cannizzaro's reaction requires a carbonyl compound with no $\alpha$-hydrogen, which rules out both here (B fails), and Tollens' reagent is reduced only by the aldehyde — acetone, being a ketone, gives no silver mirror (D fails). The reactions common to both are A, C and E.