enolate ion

chemistry

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 26, 2026

Quick Summary

An enolate ion is a chemical species formed when an enol loses a proton. An enol is an organic compound characterized by a hydroxyl group bonded to a carbon atom that is part of a double bond, represented by the grouping C=C(OH). An enolate is specifically a metallic derivative of an enol.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

enol
enolate

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

acid–base reaction
Aldol condensation, base-catalyzed
…is the production of an enolate ion (as in formation of the keto–enol tautomeric mixture), but this anion then reacts with a second molecule of acetaldehyde to give the product as shown below:
Read More
…is the production of an enolate ion (as in formation of the keto–enol tautomeric mixture), but this anion then reacts with a second molecule of acetaldehyde to give the product as shown below:
Read More

carbanion
Delocalized ions.
Enolate ions are derivatives of ketones and aldehydes (compounds containing a double bond between carbon and oxygen atoms), from which they can be generated by abstraction of a proton from the carbon atom that is located next to the carbon of the carbonyl group. The…
Read More
Enolate ions are derivatives of ketones and aldehydes (compounds containing a double bond between carbon and oxygen atoms), from which they can be generated by abstraction of a proton from the carbon atom that is located next to the carbon of the carbonyl group. The…
Read More