Question

Describe a chemical test to distinguish between methanol and methanoic acid

Answer 1

Metanol is an alcohol and methanoic(formic) acid is an acid.

They can be distinguished by two methods :-

1st method :- Tollen's test

• Tollen's test is given by aldehyde or alpha hydrodynamic ketone (exception)
• Methanoic acid gives tollen's test (Exception) This test is also known silver mirror test . CO2 gas is released.
• Methanol does not give tollen's test.

2nd method :- Sodium bicarbonate test

• CO2 gas is released when sodium carbonate is passed through methanoic acid since acid- base reaction takes place.
• Methanol does not react with sodium carbonate.

IMPORTANT POINT :-

Methanol is also an acid but it does not react with sodium bicarbonate because

• Only that acid reacts with sodium bicarbonate which is stronger acid than H2CO3.