Carboxylic acids

Carboxylic acids (from carbo=charcoal) are organic compounds containing one or more carboxyl groups. Depending on the number of carboxyl groups, a distinction is made between monocarboxylic acids, di-, tri- and polycarboxylic acids. Many carboxylic acids occur naturally in plant and animal organisms. Mostly not as free acids but as ester or salt. Some higher carboxylic acids, e.g. palmitic acid, stearic, oleic, linoleic or linolenic acid, are components of fats or fatty oils. These higher molecular carboxylic acids are also called fatty acids.

1. Burger A et al (1993) Hunnius Pharmaceutical Dictionary 7th Edition Walter de Gruyter Berlin-New York pp. 284-285