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Which of the following reagents is used to distinguish between methanoic acid and ethanoic acid ?
  • a)
    Amm.silver,nitrate solution
  • b)
    Neutral ferric chloride
  • c)
    Sodium hydroxide solution
  • d)
    Sodium carbonate solution
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Which of the following reagents is used to distinguish between methano...
Answer:

To distinguish between methanoic acid (formic acid) and ethanoic acid (acetic acid), we can use ammoniacal silver nitrate solution.

Explanation:

1. Reagent used:
The reagent used to distinguish between methanoic acid and ethanoic acid is ammoniacal silver nitrate solution. This solution contains silver nitrate (AgNO3) dissolved in ammonia (NH3) solution.

2. Reaction with methanoic acid:
When methanoic acid reacts with ammoniacal silver nitrate solution, a white precipitate of silver chloride (AgCl) is formed. This is because methanoic acid reacts with silver nitrate to form silver chloride and carbon dioxide gas. The reaction can be represented as follows:

2HCOOH + 2AgNO3 + 4NH3 → 2AgCl + 2NH4NO3 + CO2 + 3H2O

The white precipitate of silver chloride confirms the presence of methanoic acid.

3. Reaction with ethanoic acid:
On the other hand, when ethanoic acid reacts with ammoniacal silver nitrate solution, no precipitate is formed. This is because ethanoic acid does not react with silver nitrate to form a precipitate. The reaction can be represented as follows:

CH3COOH + AgNO3 + NH3 → CH3COOAg + NH4NO3

No precipitate is formed, indicating the absence of ethanoic acid.

Conclusion:
By using ammoniacal silver nitrate solution as a reagent, we can distinguish between methanoic acid and ethanoic acid. Methanoic acid forms a white precipitate of silver chloride, while no precipitate is formed with ethanoic acid.
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Community Answer
Which of the following reagents is used to distinguish between methano...
Ammonical silver nitrate solution or Tollens reagent distinguishes Between methanoic acid and ethanoic acid as it reacts only with methanoic acid since that contains aldehydic group . Option A is indeed correct!
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Which of the following reagents is used to distinguish between methanoic acid and ethanoic acid ?a)Amm.silver,nitrate solutionb)Neutral ferric chloridec)Sodium hydroxide solutiond)Sodium carbonate solutionCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
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