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[Chemical Knowledge]：The difference between formic acid and propionic acid and reagent introduction

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Formic acid and propionic acid are two common organic acids, which have obvious differences in chemical properties and uses. Formic acid and propionic acid will be distinguished in detail in terms of chemical structure, properties, uses, etc., and reagents suitable for these two acids will be introduced. The chemical structures of

formic acid and propionic acid are different. The chemical formula of formic acid is CHO2, and the chemical formula of propionic acid is C3H6O2. The formic acid molecule contains a carboxyl group and a methyl group, and the propionic acid molecule contains a carboxyl group and a propyl group. This structural difference leads to differences in the properties and uses of formic acid and propionic acid.

first look at formic acid. Formic acid is a colorless liquid with a pungent odor. It is a weak acid that rapidly dissociates into H + and HCOO-ions in water. Formic acid has a strong reducibility and can undergo a combustion reaction in the presence of oxygen. Formic acid is mainly used to produce chemical raw materials such as formate, formate and sodium formate. In addition, formic acid is also widely used in the dye industry, leather industry and pharmaceutical industry and other fields.

In contrast to formic acid, propionic acid is a colorless liquid with a peculiar odor. Propionic acid is a weak acid and can also be dissociated into H and C3H5O2-ions in water. Propionic acid is not reductive and non-flammable. Propionic acid is mainly used as an important raw material in organic synthesis, such as pharmaceuticals, perfumes, dyes and plastics industries.

The reagents suitable for formic acid and propionic acid are described next. For the detection of formic acid, one commonly used reagent is a silver salt reagent. In the aqueous solution, formic acid reacts with silver nitrate to form a white precipitate (Ag2CO3), and the presence of formic acid can be confirmed. In addition, quantitative analysis can also be performed using an oxidizing agent such as potassium permanganate solution. Using this reagent, formic acid can be oxidized to carbon dioxide and water, and the amount of potassium permanganate solution required can be calculated to determine the content of formic acid.

and for the detection of propionic acid, the commonly used reagents are bromine water and potassium bromate solution. The reaction of propionic acid with bromine water will produce red-brown bromopropionic acid, and further reaction with potassium bromate solution will form brown tribromopropionic acid, which can be used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of propionic acid.

To sum up, there are obvious differences between formic acid and propionic acid in chemical properties and uses. Formic acid has strong reducibility and is mainly used in the preparation of chemical raw materials, while propionic acid is mainly used in organic synthesis in the pharmaceutical, spices and so on. The reagents suitable for formic acid are silver salt reagent and potassium permanganate solution, while propionic acid can be detected using bromine water and potassium bromate solution. By solving the difference between formic acid and propionic acid and its applicable reagents, we can better apply it to practical work and provide better technical support for the production of all walks of life.

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