Karboxilát

Karboxilát is the name given to the anion formed when a carboxylic acid loses a proton from its carboxyl group. This proton loss results in a negatively charged oxygen atom and a resonating structure between the two oxygen atoms of the carboxylate group. Carboxylates are important in organic chemistry and biochemistry. They are the conjugate bases of carboxylic acids and are generally more stable than the parent carboxylic acids due to resonance stabilization.

The general formula for a carboxylate ion is RCOO-, where R represents an alkyl or aryl group, or simply a hydrogen atom in the case of formate. These ions are typically soluble in water due to their polar nature. Many salts are formed from carboxylate ions, such as sodium acetate or potassium benzoate. These salts are often used in various applications, including food preservation and as buffering agents.

In biological systems, carboxylate groups are fundamental components of amino acids, fatty acids, and nucleic acids. For example, the side chains of acidic amino acids like aspartate and glutamate exist as carboxylates at physiological pH. The formation and cleavage of ester bonds, which are common in biological molecules like triglycerides and phospholipids, involve reactions with or formation of carboxylates. The charge on the carboxylate group plays a significant role in the interactions and functions of these biomolecules.