Formic acid and acetic acid are distinguished from each other by reaction with ______?

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Formic acid and acetic acid are distinguished from each other by reaction with ______? Answer: HgCl₂

Formic acid reacts with HgCl₂ to form a white crystalline compound (mercury formate), whereas acetic acid does not give this reaction. This reaction is used as a simple chemical test to distinguish formic acid from acetic acid.

Question context

This question is part of 📚 General Knowledge within the broader 🌐 Current Affairs & GK subject and appears in the SPSC – Sindh Public Service Commission preparation collection. Reviewing the answer together with nearby questions helps reinforce the underlying concept and identify how it may appear in competitive exams.