How to Correctly Name Organic Acids

When it comes to naming organic acids, the IUPAC names of organic acids are going to be derived from the IUPAC names for their corresponding alkanes.

IUPAC stands for the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. The IUPAC names of organic acids are just going to be derived from the IUPAC names for their corresponding alkanes. The carboxyl group is given the -oic suffix, which is then attached to the IUPAC name for the alkane.

The word acid is just going to be added to the end. We’re going to take a look at the three rules for naming carboxylic acids. These all come from the IUPAC. Rule number one: Find the alkane from which the alcohol is made and name it similar to the nomenclature for straight chain hydrocarbons. This is called the parent hydrocarbon.

Number 2: Add that -oic suffix to the name for the alkane by removing the “e” from the alkane name. You remove the “e” and replace it with -oic. Number three: Find where the carboxyl group is attached in the branches or in the side chains. This carboxyl group is generally attached at the end of a branch. Those are the three rules for naming organic acids put out by the IUPAC.