Formic acid can be distinguished from acetic acid by reactin... | Chemistry | SolveeIt

Question

Formic acid can be distinguished from acetic acid by reacting with

$NaHCO_3$

dil. acidified $KMnO_4$ solution

$2$ , $4$ -dinitrophenyl hydrazine

$Na$ metal

Answer

dil. acidified $KMnO_4$ solution

Explanation

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.
$HCOOH - [O] {->[\overset{\text{Acidified}}{KMnO_4}]} \underset{\text{carbonic add}}{[HO - CO - OH]}$
${->} CO_2 + H_2O$

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Solution