Consider the following statements about the uses of aldehydes and ketones.
(A) Formaldehyde is used to prepare bakelite and urea-formaldehyde glues.
(B) Acetaldehyde is used in perfumery and in dye industries.
(C) Acetone and ethyl methyl ketone are common industrial solvents.
(D) Butyraldehyde, vanillin and camphor are well known for their odours and flavours.
(E) Acetone is used primarily as a starting material in the manufacture of acetic acid and ethyl acetate.
Which of the statements given above are incorrect? Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → (B) and (E) only
Aldehydes and ketones are used in industry as solvents, as starting materials for other products and for their odours and flavours. Each use belongs to a particular compound.
(A) Formaldehyde is used to prepare bakelite and urea-formaldehyde glues. — Correct statement. Bakelite is a phenol-formaldehyde resin; formaldehyde also gives other polymeric products.
(B) Acetaldehyde is used in perfumery and in dye industries. — Incorrect statement. It is benzaldehyde that is used in perfumery and in dye industries.
(C) Acetone and ethyl methyl ketone are common industrial solvents. — Correct statement.
(D) Butyraldehyde, vanillin and camphor are well known for their odours and flavours. — Correct statement. Acetophenone is another example.
(E) Acetone is used primarily as a starting material in the manufacture of acetic acid and ethyl acetate. — Incorrect statement. This is the main use of acetaldehyde, which is also the starting material for vinyl acetate, polymers and drugs. Acetone is used as a solvent.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
8.5 Uses of Aldehydes and Ketones – “…Formaldehyde is well known as formalin (40%) solution used to preserve biological specimens and to prepare bakelite (a phenol-formaldehyde resin), urea-formaldehyde glues and other polymeric products. Acetaldehyde is used primarily as a starting material in the manufacture of acetic acid, ethyl acetate, vinyl acetate, polymers and drugs. Benzaldehyde is used in perfumery and in dye industries. Acetone and ethyl methyl ketone are common industrial solvents. Many aldehydes and ketones, e.g., butyraldehyde, vanillin, acetophenone, camphor, etc. are well known for their odours and flavours.”