Question

Reducing property of formic acid is due to the presence of :

• A. $-OH$
• B. $-C=O$
• C. $COOH$
• D. All of these

Answer 1

The correct option is B $-C=O$

The Reducing property of formic acid is due to the presence of carbonyl $(-C=O)$ group
Formic acid is oxidized to carbonic acid which is an unstable acid and decomposes into carbon dioxide and water.
$HCOOH\stackrel{\left[O\right]}{\to }HO-C{O}_{O}H\to C{O}_2+H_{2}O$.
Thus, formic acid reduces Tollen's reagent, Fehling solution, mercuric chloride and potassium permanganate.