Answer to Question #21217 in Organic Chemistry for mahesh

Question

the compound reacts with na2co3 and gives co2 and gives ppt when treated with tollens reagent
1.formic acid 2. acetone 3.acetamide 4. acetaldehyde

Answer 1

Formic acid is unique amongst simple carboxylic acids since it contains a hydrogen atom instead of an alkyl group(H-COOH, all other carboxylic acid contains an alkyl group attached to C instead of hydrogen on left side)....thus formic acid may be regarded both as an aldehyde (with Tollens reagent) as well as a carboxylic acid (with Na₂CO₃ and gives CO₂).