Carboxyl Group Definition and Examples in Chemistry

Carboxyl Group Definition and Examples in Chemistry Carboxyl group definition: The carboxyl group is an organic functional group consisting of a carbon atom double bonded to an oxygen atom and single bonded to a hydroxyl group. Another way to view it is as a carbonyl group (CO)that has a hydroxyl group (O-H) attached to the carbon atom. The carboxyl group is commonly written as -C(O)OH or -COOH. Carboxyl groups ionize by releasing the hydrogen atom from the -OH group. The H, which is a free proton, is released. Thus, carboxyl groups make good acids. When hydrogen leaves, the oxygen atom has a negative charge, which it shares with the second oxygen atom in the group, allowing the carboxyl to remain stable even when oxidized. Also known as: The carboxyl group is sometimes referred to as the carboxy group, carboxyl functional group, or carboxyl radical. Carboxyl Group Example Probably the best-known example of a molecule with a carboxyl group is carboxylic acid. The general formula of carboxylic acid is R-C(O)OH, where R is any number of chemical species. Carboxylic acids are found in acetic acid and the amino acids that are used to build proteins. Because the hydrogen ion detaches so readily, the molecule is most commonly found as a carboxylate anion, R-COO-. The anion is named using the suffix -ate. For example, acetic acid (a carboxylic acid) becomes the acetate ion.