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$$\ce{HCOOH ->[\text{Fehling's solution}] CO2 + H2O}$$

The points discussed in a previous question do not account for the fact that formic acid also gives positive Fehling's test since it is not enolisable. Then what is the reason/mechanism for the reaction?

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  • $\begingroup$ I thought that the exact mechanism is not known in case of both fehlings and tollens. $\endgroup$ – user57048 Aug 23 '18 at 6:15
  • $\begingroup$ Formic acid is something like an aldehyde, it has a hydrogen atom attached to a carbonyl group. $\endgroup$ – Oscar Lanzi Aug 23 '18 at 9:47
  • $\begingroup$ Because Fehling's solution oxidizes enolizable aldehydes to carboxylic acids, it does not preclude all other oxidations. Draw cupric formate and move formate electrons toward copper. $\endgroup$ – user55119 Aug 23 '18 at 23:17

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