What Are the Physical Properties of Carboxylic Acids

Identify the longest chain of carbon atoms that contains the carboxyl group to determine the root name.The suffix -e is then changed to -anoic acid. For cyclic carboxylic acids, carboxylic acid is appended to the name of the cycloalkane (without dropping the suffix -e). As usual, remember to note stereochemistry (E/Z, cis/trans, or R/S) where appropriate. 

Each of the following compounds has a well-recognized common name. A derivative of glyceric acid is an intermediate in glycolysis (Section 21.3). Maleic acid is an intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Mevalonic acid is an intermediate in the biosynthesis of steroids (Section 19.4B). 

Write the lUPAC name for each compound. Be certain to show the configuration of each. 

In the liquid and solid states, carboxylic acids are associated by intermolecular hydrogen bonding into dimers, as shown for acetic acid  

Hydrophilic From the Greek, meaning water loving.  

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