1. Tardigrade
  2. Question
  3. Chemistry
  4. The main difference between formic acid and acetic acid is that formic acid is

Q. The main difference between formic acid and acetic acid is that formic acid is

 1845  226 CMC MedicalCMC Medical 2009 Report Error

Solution:

Formic acid (HCOOH) due to the presence of aldehyde group along with carboxylic acid group, reduces, Tollens reagent, Fehling solution etc. Hence, it is reducing in nature but acetic acid due to the absence of aldehyde group does not show reducing properties. Further, formic acid is more acidic than acetic acid.