Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry

Decarboxylation: A process in which a molecule of carbon dioxide (CO2) is lost.


Decarboxylation of 3-oxobutanoic acid (a β-keto acid) via a [1,5]-H shift leads to the enol of acetone plus carbon dioxide.


Decarboxylation of silver butanoate via the Hunsdiecker reaction produces 1-bromopropane plus carbon dioxide.