Organic acid containing the carboxyl group (
COOH) attached to another group (R), which can be hydrogen (giving methanoic acid, HCOOH) or a larger group. When R is a straight-chain alkyl group (such as CH
3 or CH
3CH
2), the acid is known as a
fatty acid.
Examples of carboxylic acids include ethanoic (acetic) acid, found in vinegar, malic acid, found in rhubarb, and citric acid, contained in oranges and lemons.
© RM 2009. Helicon Publishing is division of RM.