A carboxylic acid is a compound with one alkyl group and a carboxyl group (one hydroxide group and one carbonyl group, COOH). They usually end with the suffix -oic acid.
Familiar examples are:
- Methanoic acid, HCOOH, the compound in fire ant stings, which can cause blisters.
- Ethanoic acid, CH3COOH, the food additive in vinegar. Alcoholic beverages can contain this when the ethanol reacts with oxygen.
- Citric acid, (COOH)3C3OH or C6H8O7, the sour ingredient in citrus fruits and a food additive and preservative.
Images[]
Organic Chemistry
Acetone • Alcohol • Aldehyde • Alkyl • Amino Acids • Benzene • Benzo[a]pyrene • Caffeine • Carbon • Carbon-13 • Carbon-14 • Carboxylic acids • Carboxylization • Carcinogen • Chloroform • Deoxyribonucleic acid • Diamond • Drug Elimination • Ethanol • Ethylene • GH4 • Hemoglobin • Hydrocarbon • Hydrogen cyanide • Isobutane • Ketone • Methyl perfluorobutyl ether • Mood stabilizer • Neurochemistry • Nicotine • TNT