Question

Example of reducing properties of formic acid

Answer 1

A simple reaction to prove this will be heating any other carboxylic acid with formic acid in presence of Manganese Dioxide.

RCOOH + HCOOH -> Water + Carbon Dioxide + RCHO

As is evident, HCOOH is oxidised to Carbon Dioxide. Hence it will itself behave as a reducing agent. This fact is always true for Formic Acid. It always oxidises (in presence of suitable reagents) to give Carbon Dioxide.

And just one more thing: Tollens reagent is a mild Oxiding Reagent.

It does oxidise Formic Acid to Carbon Dioxide.