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The oxalate ion, with the chemical formula C2O4^2-, is the conjugate base of oxalic acid. It is a dicarboxylate anion, meaning it contains two carboxylate groups. The oxalate ion is a planar molecule with a central carbon-carbon bond and each carbon atom bonded to two oxygen atoms. The two oxygen atoms in each carboxylate group are equivalent due to resonance. In aqueous solutions, the oxalate ion typically exists in equilibrium with its protonated forms, the hydrogen oxalate ion (HC2O4^-) and oxalic acid (H2C2O4).

Oxalate ions are found naturally in many plants, including spinach, rhubarb, and nuts. They can also be formed in the human body as a metabolic byproduct. While essential for some biological processes, excessive intake or accumulation of oxalate can lead to health issues, such as kidney stones, as calcium oxalate crystals can form. In industrial applications, oxalate salts are used in various processes, including metal cleaning and as reducing agents. The properties and reactivity of the oxalate ion are influenced by its charge and the presence of the two oxygen atoms capable of forming coordinate bonds.