1. Plural of carboxylate; salts or esters derived from carboxylic acids, containing the carboxyl group (-COO⁻).
Usage: chemistry; technical

1. Third-person singular present tense of carboxylate; to introduce a carboxyl group into a molecule or to form a carboxylate compound.
Usage: chemistry; technical

Examples

• Sodium carboxylates are commonly used in detergents and soaps.
• The reaction carboxylates the organic compound, adding a carboxyl functional group.
• Metal carboxylates serve as catalysts in many industrial processes.
• The enzyme carboxylates the substrate to produce the desired product.
• Fatty acid carboxylates are important components of biological membranes.
• The chemist carboxylates the polymer to improve its water solubility.