IUPAC nomenclature of organic chemistry molecules is systematic based on the number of carbons in the molecule. For example, valeric acid is the common name for a straight-chain carboxylic acid having five carbons. The official IUPAC name is pentanoic acid. As for other commonly used smaller carboxylic acids, these acids are usually referred to by their common names, not their IUPAC names. Examples are shown below.
| #C | IUPAC Name | Common Name | IUPAC Anion Name | Common Anion Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | methanoic acid | formic acid | methanoate | formate |
| 2 | ethanoic acid | acetic acid | ethanoate | acetate |
| 3 | propanoic acid | propionic acid | propanoate | propionate |
| 4 | butanoic acid | butyric acid | butanoate | butyrate |
| 5 | pentanoic acid | valeric acid | pentanoate | valerate |
| 6 | hexanoic acid | caproic acid | hexanoate | caproate |
Copyright © Dr. Donald L. Robertson (Modified: 10/11/2010)