decarboxylate

Thân thiện

A chemist heats a solution to decarboxylate the compound.

Definition

1. Verb (transitive):
   • To remove a carboxyl group (a -COOH functional group) from a chemical compound. This is a chemical reaction.
2. Verb (intransitive):
   • (Of a chemical compound) To lose a carboxyl group.

Usage

• This word is a technical term used primarily in chemistry and biochemistry.
• As a transitive verb, it describes an action performed on a compound.
• As an intransitive verb, it describes a process that happens to the compound itself.

Examples

• Transitive usage:
  • The enzyme helps decarboxylate the amino acid, producing an amine.
  • Heating the compound will decarboxylate it, releasing carbon dioxide.
• Intransitive usage:
  • Over time, the acidic solution caused the molecule to decarboxylate.
  • When heated, the compound decarboxylates readily.

Advanced Usage

• The process of removing a carboxyl group is called decarboxylation (noun).
  • The decarboxylation of pyruvate is a key step in cellular respiration.

Variants and Related Words

• Decarboxylation (n): The chemical reaction in which a carboxyl group is removed, typically releasing carbon dioxide (CO₂).
• Carboxylate (n/v): A salt or ester of a carboxylic acid; to introduce a carboxyl group into (a compound). (This is related but often represents the opposite or starting point of the reaction).
• Decarboxylase (n): An enzyme that catalyzes a decarboxylation reaction.

Synonyms

• Decompose (specifically) (for the intransitive sense, when referring to the loss of CO₂).
• Remove a carboxyl group (for the transitive sense, as a descriptive phrase).

Antonyms

• Carboxylate (in the sense of adding a carboxyl group).

Học thuật

Verb

1. remove a carboxyl group from (a chemical compound)
2. lose a carboxyl group
   • the compound decarboxylated