Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry

Carboxylic acid (RCOOH): A molecule containing the carboxyl group. Carboxylic acids are so named after the ease in which the carboxyl group gives up a proton (pKa usually in the range of 0-5).


General carboxylic acid structure.

Common Carboxylic Acids



Formic acid
   
Acetic acid
   
Benzoic acid