Which of the following can reduce Benedict's solution?

Options

A. a.Ethanoic acid
B. b.Methanoic acid
C. c.Phenyl methanal
D. d.Methanal

Explanation

To determine which of the given compounds can reduce Benedict's solution, we need to understand the nature of the compounds involved and the chemical reactions that occur with Benedict's solution.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Benedict's Solution**:
- Benedict's solution is a chemical reagent used to test for the presence of reducing sugars and aldehydes. It contains copper(II) ions, which can be reduced to copper(I) oxide (Cu2O) in the presence of reducing agents.

2. **Identifying Reducing Agents**:
- Reducing agents are substances that can donate electrons to another substance, thereby reducing it. In this context, we are looking for compounds that can reduce the copper(II) ions in Benedict's solution.

3. **Analyzing the Given Compounds**:
- The question provides several compounds. We need to evaluate each one to see if it can act as a reducing agent.

4. **Methanoic Acid (HCOOH)**:
- Methanoic acid can be oxidized to carbon dioxide (CO2) by Benedict's solution. This means it can reduce Benedict's solution. Therefore, methanoic acid is a reducing agent.

5. **Ethanoic Acid (CH3COOH)**:
- Ethanoic acid is not a strong enough reducing agent to reduce Benedict's solution. It does not undergo oxidation in the same way as methanoic acid. Thus, it cannot reduce Benedict's solution.

6. **Phenylmethanol (C6H5CH2OH)**:
- Phenylmethanol is an aromatic compound. Aromatic aldehydes do not reduce Benedict's solution. Therefore, phenylmethanol cannot reduce Benedict's solution.

7. **Methanol (CH3OH)**:
- Methanol is an alcohol and does not have the necessary functional group to act as a reducing agent for Benedict's solution. It cannot reduce the solution.

8. **Conclusion**:
- The only compound that can reduce Benedict's solution from the given options is methanoic acid (HCOOH). Therefore, the correct answer is:
- **B: Methanoic Acid (HCOOH)**