top of page
FORMIC ACID
FORMIC ACID
Formic acid is a colorless liquid having a pungent, penetrating odor at room temperature, comparable to the related acetic acid. Formic acid is about ten times stronger than acetic acid. It is miscible with water and most polar organic solvents, and is somewhat soluble in hydrocarbons.
Formic acid gives Tollens test whereas acetic acid does not give this test. Tollen's reagent is an ammoniacal silver nitrate solution. When formic acid is heated with Tollen's reagent, a silver mirror is formed on the inner sides of the test tube. Acetic acid does not give this test.
bottom of page