# Methanoic acid is a carboxylic acid found naturally in ant venom. A student investigates the properties of methanoic acid by reacting it with several substances. Describe the properties of methanoic acid as a carboxylic acid, including its reactions with magnesium, sodium carbonate, and sodium hydroxide.

> OCR A-Level Chemistry B: Salters (H433) — 6.1 Aromatic compounds, carbonyls and acids · Describe · 5 marks

> Methanoic acid is the simplest member of the homologous series of carboxylic acids, containing the functional group –COOH. It is a weak acid found in ant and bee venom and is used industrially as a preservative.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Carboxylic acids are weak acids / partially dissociate in water / do not fully ionise
2. Methanoic acid reacts with magnesium to produce a salt (magnesium methanoate) and hydrogen gas
3. Methanoic acid reacts with sodium carbonate to produce a salt (sodium methanoate), water, and carbon dioxide
4. Methanoic acid reacts with sodium hydroxide in a neutralisation reaction to produce a salt (sodium methanoate) and water
5. Methanoic acid is part of a homologous series with the functional group –COOH / carboxylic acids have typical acidic properties

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