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  4. Formic acid can be distinguished from acetic acid by reacting with

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Q. Formic acid can be distinguished from acetic acid by reacting with

AMUAMU 2011Aldehydes Ketones and Carboxylic Acids

Solution:

Formic acid can be distinguished from acetic acid since it contains a hydrogen atom instead of methyl group. Therefore, formic acid acts as a reducing agent and decolorise acidified $KMnO_4$ solution.
$HCOOH - [O] \xrightarrow{\overset{\text{Acidified}}{KMnO_4}} \underset{\text{carbonic add}}{[HO - CO - OH]}$
$\rightarrow CO_2 + H_2O$