In organic nomenclature, how is a carboxylic acid typically identified?

A carboxylic acid is identified by the suffix "-oic acid" in organic nomenclature. This designation indicates the presence of the carboxyl functional group (-COOH), which is characteristic of carboxylic acids. The suffix clearly denotes the functional group responsible for the acidity of these compounds and is a key feature in the systematic naming of organic molecules.

For example, acetic acid, which is a simple carboxylic acid, is systematically named ethanoic acid, reflecting its two-carbon structure and the carboxylic acid functional group. This naming convention helps differentiate carboxylic acids from other classes of compounds, such as alkanes, alkenes, and alcohols, which are identified by other suffixes like "-ane," "-ene," and "-ol," respectively. Hence, the suffix "-oic acid" is essential in identifying and categorizing carboxylic acids in organic chemistry.