Decarboxylation
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Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction that removes a carboxyl group and releases carbon dioxide (CO2) and adds a hydrogen in its place.
Description
Decarboxylation is done by pyrolysis of the organic compound, in the presence of a catalyst. The reaction product varies, depending on the compound.
For example, decarboxylation of sodium acetate with sodium hydroxide yields methane, while decarboxylation of calcium acetate yields acetone.
Likewise, niacin will be be decarboxylated to pyridine in the presence of copper chromite.
Salicylic acid can be decarboxylated just by strong heating while distilling, yielding phenol.[1]
