Karboksylaationiissä

Karboksylaationiissä, or carboxylation, is a chemical reaction where a carboxyl group (COOH) is added to a molecule. This process is fundamental in organic chemistry and plays a crucial role in various biological pathways. In organic synthesis, carboxylation is often achieved using carbon dioxide as the source of the carboxyl group, often in the presence of a strong base or a metal catalyst. These reactions can be used to convert alcohols, amines, or Grignard reagents into carboxylic acids or their derivatives.

In biological systems, carboxylation is a vital metabolic process. A prime example is the carboxylation of pyruvate to oxaloacetate, a key step in the citric acid cycle (also known as the Krebs cycle). This reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme pyruvate carboxylase and requires biotin as a cofactor. Another important biological carboxylation is the synthesis of fatty acids, where acetyl-CoA is carboxylated to malonyl-CoA by acetyl-CoA carboxylase, again utilizing biotin. Many vitamins and enzymes rely on carboxylation reactions for their function. The precise control of these reactions by enzymes is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and carrying out diverse biochemical functions.