The ending - ato - means - derivative - or functional group chemical, e.g. carbonate has inserted a carbon bonded to other atoms of other compounds or substances. Example carbonate: calcium, sodium; they usually form salts, another example, calcium sulfate; It says sulfate by the presence of sulphur more calcium. So maleate is a bound, extracted or combined with another compound or substance derived from Malic acid salt: why they say maleate of: where is derived or bound. If it says stearate is an ester, palmitate butane butanoate, Palmitic acid, propionoato acid, propionic acid, etc.
