Nomenclature of Esters

Esters have the R-COOR' functional group. They are named as alkyl alkanoate (similar to salts) so that the second part corresponds to the acid of origin ending in –ate preceded by the name of the radical to which it is attached, (recommendation C-463.1).

The main chain is the one with the -COO- group and this carbon is numbered with the locator 1 (recommendation C-463.3).

Return to the page naming mono-functional compounds.