Seliwanoff's Test

Reactions:

The test reagent dehydrates ketohexoses to form 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. 5-hydroxymethylfurfural further reacts with resorcinol present in the test reagent to produce a red product within two minutes.Aldohexoses react to form the same product, but do so more slowly.



How to perform the test:

One half ml of a sample solution is placed in a test tube. Two ml of Seliwanoff's reagent (a solution of resorcinol and HCl) is added. The solution is then heated in a boiling water bath for two minutes.

A positive test is indicated by:

The formation of a red product.