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Aldehydes, Ketones And Carboxylic Acids

Question
CBSEENCH12008766

Explain the reason why:
Acetic acid can be halogenated in the presence of red P and Cl2 but formic acid cannot be halogenated in the same way.

Solution
The halogenation of acetic acid is due to the presence of methyl group. But, in formic acid, HCOOH has no alkyl group attached to the –COOH group, while acetic acid, CH3COOH has a methyl group attached to the –COOH group. The CH3 group in CH3COOH is halogenated.