Organic Chemistry

Mnemonics for Functional Groups

Figure 301

Carboxylic Acid: ”Box” stands for boxed wine or C-O-H, alcohol. The ”Y” indicates a
C=O double bond.

Ester: This sounds like ”Estelle” George Costanza’s mother in the TV show Seinfeld.
George’s nickname was Koko or Coco. So think of O=C-O-C.

Amide: Amine with a ”D”. D for double.