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Chemistry LibreTexts

Decarboxylation

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Decarboxylation is the removal of carbon dioxide from carboxylic acids.

decarboxylation1.png

  • R= alkyl, aryl

Decarboxylation of simple carboxylic acids requires very high temperatures, at which the organic product often decomposes. In contrast, β-ketoacids undergo decarboxylation upon warming.

eg:

decarboxylation2.png

The molecule of a β-ketoacid is stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond that creates a six-membered ring, allowing the reaction to occur via a relatively stable, six-membered cyclic transition state.

decarboxylation3.png

see also carboxylation


This page titled Decarboxylation is shared under a All Rights Reserved (used with permission) license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Gamini Gunawardena via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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