Question

What is the common name for the simplest carboxylic acid, HCOOH ?

• A. Acetic acid
• B. Formic acid
• C. Propanoic acid
• D. Butanoic acid

Hint:

HCOOH is named after ants, Latin formica.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Simplest acid:
HCOOH has just one carbon in the chain, the lowest member of the carboxylic acid series.

Step 2: Name:
IUPAC name is methanoic acid and the common name is formic acid, from ants (formica).

Step 3: Others:
Acetic has 2 carbons, propanoic has 3 and butanoic has 4, so option (B).

Final Answer:
The simplest carboxylic acid is formic acid. \[ \boxed{\text{(B) }\text{Formic acid}} \]