Basic IUPAC Organic Nomenclature

Carboxylic Acids

Nomenclature	Formula	3D structure
Substituent suffix = -oic acid  e.g. ethanoic acid Substituent prefix = carboxy

• The root name is based on the longest chain including the carboxylic acid group.
• Since the carboxylic acid group is at the end of the chain, it must be C1.
• The carboxylic acid suffix is appended after the hydrocarbon suffix minus the "e" : e.g.  -ane + -oic acid = -anoic acid etc.
  

© Dr. Ian Hunt, 2005, Department of Chemistry, University of Calgary