Question

The IUPAC name of the formic acid is:
A. Methanoic acid
B. Ethanoic acid
C. Propanoic acid
D. Butanoic acid

Answer 1

Hint: Formic acid is the simplest carboxylic acid. It is a naturally occurring acid.

Complete step by step answer:
The IUPAC name of formic acid is Methanoic acid. It is the simplest carboxylic acid with molecular formula HCOOH. It is a naturally occurring acid found mainly in ants. The Latin name for ant is ‘Formica’ from which the name formic acid is derived. It refers to the early isolation of formic acid by distillation of ant bodies. Formate ion is also an intermediate in normal metabolism. Formate ion, when oxidised, gives carbon dioxide. It is also produced as a by-product in the formation of acetate. Formic acid is a colourless liquid with a pungent smell. Formic acid is dangerous to the human body at high concentrations, but very useful at low concentrations. It is used as a food preservative due to its antibacterial nature. It is also used in pesticides and cosmetic additives. It is also used to help a variety of industrial processes to occur. Methanoic acid consists of a carbon doubly bonded to an oxygen and a single bond joining it to a hydroxyl (OH) group. The structure of formic acid is:

Hence, the correct answer is (A) Methanoic acid.

Note: One can think formic acid to be very corrosive to skin. But formic acid is a mild naturally occurring acid. In small amounts, it is in fact very beneficial to the human body.