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carboxylate ion
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carboxylate ion

chemical compound
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Quick Summary

A carboxylate ion is a negatively charged ion formed when a carboxylic acid loses a proton (H+). This ion is more stable than an alkoxide ion because its negative charge is dispersed through resonance, meaning the charge is spread over more than two atoms. This stability is why carboxylic acids are acidic.1

Carboxylic acids are organic compounds containing at least one carboxyl group (-COOH). They are named systematically by adding "-oic acid" to the alkane name corresponding to the longest carbon chain containing the carboxyl group. Common names, often derived from their sources, are also frequently used.23

The solubility of carboxylic acids in water decreases as their molecular weight increases. However, their salts (like sodium, potassium, or ammonium salts) are generally soluble in water. The term "carboxylate" can also refer to a salt or ester of a carboxylic acid.45

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8 Britannica Sources
  1. carboxylic acid - Acidity
  2. carboxylic acid - Nomenclature of carboxylic acids and their salts
  3. carboxylic acid - Solubility
  4. carboxylate
  5. carbonyl group
  6. carboxylic acid
  7. carbanion
  8. carboxylate

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