MCAT Organic Chemistry Review 2018-2019

on describing the carboxylic acid derivatives that appear on the MCAT: amides, esters, and
anhydrides. Each of these molecules replaces the –OH on the carboxyl group with another leaving
group (–NR 2 , –OR, and –OCOR, respectively). These each react in similar ways to carboxylic acids.
Many of these functional groups are also critical for biochemical processes.