Carboxylic Acid
A compound containing a carboxyl group, in which a carbonyl and a hydroxyl group share the same carbon.
Formula / equation
R–COOH
Unit
Dimensionless
In depth
Carboxylic acids are weak acids because the carboxylate anion is stabilised by resonance across both oxygens. They form strong hydrogen-bonded dimers, giving unusually high boiling points, and they react with alcohols, amines and bases to give the whole family of acid derivatives.
Examples in the real world
Ethanoic acid in vinegar, citric acid in fruit, and the long-chain fatty acids of fats and oils.