carboksüüleerimine

Carboxylations are chemical reactions in which a carboxyl group (COOH) is introduced into a molecule. This process is crucial in various biological and industrial processes. In biology, carboxylation is essential for the synthesis of many important organic molecules, including amino acids, fatty acids, and nucleotides. Enzymes called carboxylases catalyze these reactions, often utilizing carbon dioxide as the source of the carboxyl group. For instance, pyruvate carboxylase plays a vital role in gluconeogenesis, the synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors. Biotin is a common cofactor for many carboxylases, aiding in the transfer of the carboxyl group.

Industrially, carboxylation reactions are employed in the synthesis of various chemicals. The Kolbe-Schmitt reaction, for example, is a well-known industrial process that carboxylates phenol to salicylic acid, a precursor to aspirin. Other carboxylation methods involve using carbon monoxide or phosgene as the carboxylating agent, depending on the desired product and reaction conditions. Understanding and controlling carboxylation reactions is fundamental to organic synthesis and has significant implications for pharmaceuticals, materials science, and biochemistry.