Monocarboxylic acids

Monocarboxylic acids are chemical compounds that have only one carboxyl group (-COOH) in the molecule. Compounds with several carboxyl groups are accordingly called di- or tricarboxylic acids.

Carboxylic acids are widespread in nature. Important monocarboxylic acids are acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid. Monocarboxylic acids also include the longer-chain fatty acids.

Monocarboxylic acids can be named according to the IUPAC nomenclature by appending the syllable "acid" to the name of the corresponding alkane. Aromatic monocarboxylic acids contain an aromatic ring structure in their molecule. Frequently, however, the (mono-) carboxylic acids are known by their trivial name.

Overview of the different monocarboxylic acids, including their trivial names and IUPAC names in their molecular formulas.

• Trivial name: IUPAC name (molecular formula)
• Formic acid: Methanoic acid (HCOOH)
• Acetic acid: Ethanoic acid (CH3COOH)
• Propionic acid: Propionic acid (C2H5COOH)
• Butyric acid: butanoic acid (C3H7COOH)
• Valeric acid: Pentanoic acid (C4H9COOH)
• Caproic acid: hexanoic acid (C5H11COOH)
• Enanthic acid/pimelic acid: Heptanoic acid (C6H13COOH)
• Caprylic acid: Octanoic acid (C7H15COOH)
• Pelargonic acid: Nonanoic acid (C8H17COOH)
• Capric acid: Decanoic acid (C9H19COOH)
• Lauric acid: Dodecanoic acid (C11H23COOH)
• Myristic acid: tetradecanoic acid (C13H27COOH)
• Palmitic acid: Hexadecanoic acid (C15H31COOH)
• Margaric acid: Heptadecanoic acid ( C16H33COOH )
• Stearic acid: Octadecanoic acid (C17H35COOH)
• Arachidic acid: Eicosanoic acid (C19H39COOH)
• Behenic acid: Docosanoic acid (C21H43COOH)
• Lignoceric acid: tetracosanoic acid (C23H47COOH)
• Cerotic acid: Hexacosanoic acid (C25H51COOH)
• Montanic acid: Octacosanoic acid (C27H53COOH)
• Melissic acid: triacontanoic acid (C29H57COOH)

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