Formic acid and acetic acid can be distinguished by:

Question

Formic acid and acetic acid can be distinguished by: (A) ethyl alcohol (B)  PCl5  (C) Tollens reagent (D) none of these

Tardigrade Admin · Accepted Answer

Formic acid has an aldehydic group in it. Hence, it reduces Tollens reagent. Acetic acid does not give this test. HCOOH+Ag2O xrightarrowCO2+H2O+2Ag downarrow

Q. Formic acid and acetic acid can be distinguished by:

ethyl alcohol

$PC l_{5}$

Tollens reagent

none of these

Formic acid has an aldehydic group in it.
Hence, it reduces Tollens reagent. Acetic acid does not give this test. $H COO H + A g_{2} O C O_{2} + H_{2} O + 2 A g ↓$