Question

Which of the following acids, will be able to give silver mirror test?

• A. Acetic acid
• B. Butyric acid
• C. Formic acid
• D. Carboxylic acids do not give this test

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Formic acid

Answer 2

Formic acid (HCOOH) has an aldehydic group in it, and hence, give Tollens test. $H-\overset{O}{\mathop{\overset{||}{\mathop{C}}\,}}\,-OH+A{{g}_{2}}O\xrightarrow{{}}C{{O}_{2}}+{{H}_{2}}O+2Ag\downarrow$ Other carboxylic acids do not give this test.