Match the LIST-I with LIST-II.
| LIST-I (Common/Latin Name) | LIST-II (Natural sources) |
| (A) Butyrum | (I) Formalin |
| (B) Acetum | (II) Red Ants |
| (C) Formica | (III) Rancid Butter |
| (D) CH2O | (IV) Vinegar |
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → (A) - (III), (B) - (IV), (C) - (II), (D) - (I)
Many carboxylic acids and aldehydes have common names that come from the Latin or Greek name of their natural source:
(A) Butyrum — This matches (III) Rancid Butter. Latin butyrum means butter; butyric acid (butanoic acid) gives rancid butter its smell.
(B) Acetum — This matches (IV) Vinegar. Latin acetum means vinegar; acetic acid (ethanoic acid) is the acid of vinegar.
(C) Formica — This matches (II) Red Ants. Latin formica means ant; formic acid (methanoic acid) was first obtained from red ants.
(D) \( \ce{CH2O} \) — This matches (I) Formalin. \( \ce{CH2O} \) is formaldehyde (methanal); its 40% aqueous solution is formalin, used to preserve biological specimens.
Shortcut: (C)–(II) appears only in Option (3).
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
Nomenclature – “… The common names end with the suffix –ic acid and have been derived from Latin or Greek names of their natural sources. For example, formic acid (HCOOH) was first obtained from red ants (Latin: formica means ant), acetic acid (CH3COOH) from vinegar (Latin: acetum, means vinegar), butyric acid (CH3CH2CH2COOH) from rancid butter (Latin: butyrum, means butter).”
Uses of Aldehydes and Ketones – “… Formaldehyde is well known as formalin (40%) solution used to preserve biological specimens …”