Carboxylic Acid

Question 1

Nomenclature of Carboxylic acid

Answer 1

The aliphatic monocarboxylic acids are commonly called fatty acids because higher
members of this series such as palmitic acid (C15H31COOH) stearic acid (C17H35COOH),
etc. are obtained by the hydrolysis of fats and oils.

Question 2

Common names:

Answer 2

▪ The common names of carboxylic acids were derived from the source from which they
are isolated.
▪ The irritation caused by an ant bite is due to formic acid (Latin word formica, ant).
▪ It was first isolated by the distillation of red ants.
▪ Acetic acid was first isolated from vinegar and butyric acid was named after butyrum
means butter.
▪ The positions of other groups attached with the chain containing the carboxyl group are
indicated by the Greek letters 𝛼, 𝛽, 𝛾, 𝛿 etc.
▪ The carbon adjacent to carboxylic group is 𝛼 carbon.