Karboksylaattoryhmä

The carboxylate group is the deprotonated form of a carboxylic acid. It has the general formula RCOO-, where R is an organic substituent and the negative charge is delocalized over the two oxygen atoms. This delocalization contributes to the stability of the carboxylate ion.

Carboxylate groups are formed when a carboxylic acid loses a proton (H+) from its hydroxyl group (-OH). This process, known as deprotonation, typically occurs in the presence of a base or in aqueous solutions where the pH is higher than the pKa of the carboxylic acid. The resulting ion carries a net negative charge.

The carboxylate group is a fundamental functional group in organic chemistry and biochemistry. It is found in many important molecules, including amino acids, fatty acids, and nucleic acids. In biochemistry, carboxylate groups often play crucial roles in enzyme active sites, binding to metal ions or forming salt bridges with positively charged amino acid residues.

In organic synthesis, carboxylate salts can be used as nucleophiles or as precursors to other functional groups. They are generally more soluble in polar solvents than their corresponding carboxylic acids due to their ionic nature. The properties of a carboxylate group can vary depending on the nature of the R group attached to it, influencing factors like acidity and reactivity.