Compounds with multiple carboxyl groups are named by numbering the alkyl chain leaving carboxyl groups, adding the multiplicative prefix (dicarboxylic acid, tricarboxylic acid, etc.) to the parent alkyl chain name, and indicating the position of –COOH groups with arabic numerals.

Aliphatic carboxylic acids in the IUPAC system are named by replacing the ending –e in the corresponding alkane name with –oic acid. The carboxylic carbon is numbered one in the carbon chain.

Carboxylic acids are named using common names derived from Latin or Greek names of their natural sources, and the names end with the suffix –ic acid.

Carboxylic acids, including fatty acids, are abundant in nature. They serve as starting materials for various organic compounds such as anhydrides, esters, acid chlorides, and amides.

Carboxylic acids can be classified as aliphatic (RCOOH) or aromatic (ArCOOH) based on whether the attached group is alkyl or aryl. Fatty acids, esters of glycerol, are examples of higher aliphatic carboxylic acids.