Definition: Carboxylic acids are organic acids characterized by the presence of a carboxyl group, which has the formula -C(=O)OH, usually written -COOH or -CO2H. Carboxylic acids are Brønsted-Lowry acids and are proton donors. Salts and anions of carboxylic acids are called carboxylates.
The simplest series of carboxylic acids are the alkanoic acids, R-COOH, where R is a hydrogen or an alkyl group. Compounds may also have two or more carboxylic acid groups per molecule.
Types
monocarboxylic acids
dicarboxylic acids
tricarboxylic acids
List
Straight-Chained, Saturated Carboxylic Acids
- Formic acid
- Methanoic acid
- Acetic acid
- Propionic acid
- Butyric acid
- Valeric acid
- Caproic acid
- Enanthic acid
- Caprylic acid
- Pelargonic acid
- Capric acid
- Lauric acid
- Palmitic acid
- Stearic acid
Short-chain unsaturated monocarboxylic acids (Acrylic acid)
Fatty acids
Amino acids (monomers of proteins)
Keto acids
- Pyruvic acid
- Acetoacetic acid
Aromatic carboxylic acids
- benzoic acid
- salicylic acid
- Aldaric acid
- Oxalic acid
- Malonic acid
- Malic acid
- Succinic acid
- Glutaric acid
- Adipic acid
- Citric acid
- Isocitric acid
- Aconitic acid
- Propane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid
Alpha hydroxy acids
- Lactic acid
See also