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Osazone Formation

An aqueous solution of phenylhydrazine hydrochloride buffered with sodium acetate is added to each of glucose, fructose, and sucrose. They are heated.

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Narrative
An aqueous solution of phenylhydrazine hydrochloride buffered with sodium acetate is added to three test tubes containing glucose, fructose, and sucrose. The solutions are heated in a boiling water bath. Reducing sugars do not form simple phenylhydrazone derivatives. Instead two molecules of phenylhydrazine condense with each molecule of sugar to produce a solid derivative called an osazone. A yellow solid rapidly forms with fructose and a short time later with glucose. Sucrose does not react for at least 30 minutes when it begins to hydrolyze.