Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 11, 2026

Light-driven Enzymatic Decarboxylation
Published on: May 22, 2016
Decarboxylation as the Key Step in C-C Bond-Forming Reactions
Tuhin Patra1, Debabrata Maiti1
1Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400076, India.
Abstract:
C-C bond forming reactions incarnate the core of organic synthesis because of their fundamental applications to molecular diversity and complexity. In recent years, use of carboxylic acid as one of the coupling partners in place of conventional organometallic reagents has seen an upsurge due to its potency to generate similar organometallic intermediates after decarboxylation. This Review provides an overview on the most recent progress in the field of C-C bond formation involving decarboxylation as a key step. Different important developments, which are not included in earlier Reviews in this area, have been summarized with representative examples and discussions on their reaction mechanisms.
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Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of β-Ketoacids
Loss of Carboxy Group as CO2: Decarboxylation of Malonic Acid Derivatives
Reactions of Carboxylic Acids: Introduction
C–C Bond Formation: Aldol Condensation Overview
C–C Bond Cleavage: Retro-Aldol Reaction
In the first step, as depicted in Figure 1, the base deprotonates the β-hydroxy ketone at the hydroxyl group to form an alkoxide ion.
Preparation of Carboxylic Acids: Carboxylation of Grignard Reagents

