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Multiple Choice

What is another name for p-aminobenzoic acid?

In naming substituted benzoic acids, the carboxyl group starts the numbering as position 1. Substituents are numbered to give the lowest possible locants, and the position opposite the carboxyl group is 4, called para. When the amino group sits at that para position, the compound is named 4-aminobenzoic acid, which is the same as p-aminobenzoic acid. This name uniquely identifies the para-substituted benzoic acid, whereas placing the amino group at other positions would yield different isomers (o- or m-), and simply saying “aminobenzoic acid” omits where the amino group is.

In naming substituted benzoic acids, the carboxyl group starts the numbering as position 1. Substituents are numbered to give the lowest possible locants, and the position opposite the carboxyl group is 4, called para. When the amino group sits at that para position, the compound is named 4-aminobenzoic acid, which is the same as p-aminobenzoic acid. This name uniquely identifies the para-substituted benzoic acid, whereas placing the amino group at other positions would yield different isomers (o- or m-), and simply saying “aminobenzoic acid” omits where the amino group is.