Karboksüleermist

Karboksüleermist, also known as carboxylation, is a fundamental chemical reaction where a carboxyl group (COOH) is added to a molecule. This process is crucial in many biological and industrial applications. In biology, carboxylation is a key step in photosynthesis, where carbon dioxide is fixed into organic molecules. Enzymes called carboxylases catalyze these reactions, often requiring cofactors like biotin or vitamin B12. This biological carboxylation is the primary way carbon enters the biosphere, forming the basis of most food chains.

Industrially, carboxylation is employed in the synthesis of various organic compounds. For example, the Kolbe-Schmitt reaction is a carboxylation process used to produce salicylic acid from phenol. This reaction is important in the pharmaceutical industry. Other carboxylation methods are used to create carboxylic acids, esters, and other valuable chemicals from simpler starting materials. The efficiency and selectivity of these industrial carboxylation processes are often enhanced by the use of specific catalysts, such as transition metal complexes. Understanding and controlling carboxylation reactions are therefore essential for both life sciences and chemical manufacturing.