Acetic acid can be halogenated in presence of phosphorus and chlorine. Formic acid cannot be halogenated with same way because of:
A
presence of α−H atom in formic acid
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B
presence of α−H atom in acetic acid
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C
absence of α−H atom in CH3COOH
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D
higher acidic strength of acetic acid than formic acid.
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Solution
The correct option is B presence of α−H atom in acetic acid HVZ reaction is given by only those carboxylic acids which have α−H atom. CH3COOH has three α−H atoms but formic acid does not have α-hydrogen atom hence formic acid cannot be halogenated.