Chapter 20: Carboxylic Acid Derivatives. Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution

Nomenclature of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives

The table reviews the functional group nomenclature of the carboxylic acid derivatives and shows the simple structural representation and a JSMOL 3D model. It's a good idea to make sure you can recognise each of these functional groups.

Acyl Chlorides Functional group suffix = oyl chloride (review)
Anhydrides Functional group suffix = alkanoic anhydride (review)
Thioesters Functional group suffix = alkyl -thioate Functional group prefix = alkthiocarbonyl-  or   carbalkthio-
Esters Functional group suffix = alkyl -oate (review)  Functional group prefix = alkoxycarbonyl-  or   carbalkoxy- Cyclic esters are called lactones
Carboxylic Acids Functional group suffix = -oic acid (review)  Functional group prefix = carboxy-
Amides Functional group suffix = amide (review)  Functional group prefix = carbamoyl- Cyclic amides are called lactams
Nitriles Functional group suffix = nitrile or -onitrile (review)  Functional group prefix = cyano-

© Dr. Ian Hunt, Department of Chemistry