A carboxylate is a type of chemical compound that contains a carboxyl group, which is made up of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group (–COOH). When the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group is removed, the remaining structure becomes a carboxylate ion, typically represented as RCOO⁻, where R is a hydrocarbon chain or another substituent. Carboxylates are commonly found in organic chemistry and play a significant role in various biological processes. They are the conjugate bases of carboxylic acids, such as acetic acid and citric acid, and are often involved in the formation of salts and esters. Carboxylate ions can participate in reactions with metals, leading to the formation of carboxylate salts.