karboksyylirenkaan

Karboksyylirenkaan is the Finnish term for cycloalkanecarboxylic acids, a family of aliphatic carboxylic acids in which a carboxyl group is directly attached to a saturated cycloalkane ring. In English, they are called cycloalkanecarboxylic acids. The carboxyl carbon is bonded to one ring carbon, giving a substituent -CO2H on the ring. The general formula is C(n+1)H(2n)O2, where n is the ring size (n ≥ 3). Common members include cyclopropanecarboxylic acid, cyclobutanecarboxylic acid, cyclopentane carboxylic acid and cyclohexanecarboxylic acid.

Physical properties vary with ring size; they are typically colorless solids or liquids at room temperature, and behave as weak acids with pKa values around 4–5. They are polar and form hydrogen bonds, with water solubility that generally decreases as the ring becomes larger. The presence of the carboxyl group gives rise to typical carboxylic acid reactivity, including formation of esters, amides, and anhydrides.

Preparation commonly involves the oxidation of cycloalkyl derivatives to the corresponding carboxylic acids, using oxidants such as potassium permanganate or chromium(VI) reagents. Alternative routes include oxidation of aldehyde or alcohol intermediates derived from cycloalkanes.

Applications include serving as intermediates in organic synthesis, building blocks for pharmaceuticals, fragrances, and polymers, and as solvents or starting materials in laboratory syntheses. The chemistry of karboksyylirenkaan is part of broader carboxylic acid chemistry and cyclic aliphatic chemistry.