Question
Question: Acetic acid can be halogenated in presence of phosphorus and chlorine. Formic acid cannot be halogen...
Acetic acid can be halogenated in presence of phosphorus and chlorine. Formic acid cannot be halogenated with same way because of.
A
Presence of 
atom in formic acid
B
Presence of α−H atom in acetic acid
C
Absence of CH3COOH
D
Higher acidic strength of acetic acid than formic acid.
Answer
Presence of α−H atom in acetic acid
Explanation
Solution
: HVZ reaction is given by only those carboxylic acids with have α−H atom. CH3 COOH has three α− H atoms but formic acid does not have α−hydrogen atom hence formic acid cannot be halogenated.