The spectroscopic quinoidal ion method for the analysis of carbonyl compounds

The spectroscopic quinoidal ion method for carbonyl compound analysis has been evaluated. Conjugated aldehydes and saturated ketones are rather stable after an initial time period. Saturated aldehydes are unstable and decompose rapidly with time. The stability of aldehydes is directly related to the size of the alkyl group attached to the aldehyde function. The larger the group, the slower it decomposes.