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.
How are compounds with multiple carboxyl groups named in the IUPAC system, and how is the position of the –COOH groups indicated?
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In the IUPAC system, compounds with multiple carboxyl groups are named as dicarboxylic acids, tricarboxylic acids, etc., based on the number of carboxyl groups present. The position of each carboxyl group is indicated by specifying the carbon number to which it is attached. The carbon chain is numbered from the end that gives the carboxyl group the lowest possible number. If there are different positional isomers, numerical locants are used to indicate the positions of each carboxyl group. For example, succinic acid (HOOCCH₂CH₂COOH) has carboxyl groups at carbons 1 and 4 of the butane chain.