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Multiple Choice

According to the priority list, which functional group has higher priority: carboxylic acids or aldehydes?

In naming organic compounds, the suffix is determined by the highest-priority functional group present. Carboxylic acids outrank aldehydes, alcohols, and alkanes, so the carboxyl group sets the main name. The carboxyl group is the most oxidized among these common groups and provides the -oic acid suffix, reflecting its dominance in the naming hierarchy. When both carboxylic acid and aldehyde are present, the molecule is named as a carboxylic acid, and the aldehyde is treated as a substituent (often called formyl) rather than influencing the suffix. Hence, carboxylic acids have higher priority.

In naming organic compounds, the suffix is determined by the highest-priority functional group present. Carboxylic acids outrank aldehydes, alcohols, and alkanes, so the carboxyl group sets the main name. The carboxyl group is the most oxidized among these common groups and provides the -oic acid suffix, reflecting its dominance in the naming hierarchy. When both carboxylic acid and aldehyde are present, the molecule is named as a carboxylic acid, and the aldehyde is treated as a substituent (often called formyl) rather than influencing the suffix. Hence, carboxylic acids have higher priority.