Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

carboxylate

Noun

/kɑːrˈbɒksɪleɪt/

Definition

A carboxylate is a salt or ester formed from a carboxylic acid, characterized by the presence of the carboxylate ion.

Examples

The sodium carboxylate formed when acetic acid reacts with sodium hydroxide is a common example used in laboratories.
Carboxylates are important in biological systems, particularly in metabolic pathways.
In the synthesis of esters, carboxylates act as key intermediates.

Meaning

In chemistry, carboxylates are the species that result when a carboxylic acid loses a hydrogen ion (H+) from its carboxyl group (-COOH), allowing it to form bonds with other elements or compounds.