Final answer:
The suffix '-ic' is used for naming carboxylic acids and is replaced by '-oate' when the acid is made into an ester. This naming convention is part of the IUPAC system, differentiating between the acid and its ester derivative.
Step-by-step explanation:
The suffixes -ic and -oate are commonly used in chemistry to denote different forms of compounds, specifically within the context of carboxylic acids and their derivatives. In organic chemistry, the acyl group (R-C=O) is a functional group derived from a carboxylic acid by the removal of a hydroxyl group (OH). Names of carboxylic acids are created by replacing the ending '-e' of the parent alkane with the suffix '-oic acid.' However, when a carboxylic acid is converted into an ester, the naming changes slightly.
Esters are formed through a reaction known as esterification, which involves the combination of an alcohol and a carboxylic acid. The resultant compound typically replaces the '-oic acid' with '-oate.' This nomenclature change signifies the transformation from an acid to an ester. For example, the ester formed from ethanoic acid (acetic acid) and ethanol is named ethyl ethanoate. Here, 'ethyl' derives from the alcohol, and 'ethanoate' indicates the acyl group derived from ethanoic acid.
This method of naming is part of the IUPAC system for nomenclature, which helps standardize names for chemical substances. It is essential to note that the '-oate' part always pertains to the ester derivative of a carboxylic acid, while '-ic' is reserved for the acid itself. Recognizing these suffixes is crucial for students studying organic chemistry as they provide clues about the structure and type of the chemical substance in question.