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Carboxylate ion
Acrylate ion



Resonance stabilization of the carboxylate ion[edit]



This delocalization of the electron cloud means that either of the oxygen atoms is less strongly negatively charged; the positively charged proton is therefore less strongly attracted back to the carboxylate group once it has left. In contrast, an alkoxide ion, once formed, would have a strong negative charge on the oxygen atom, which would make it difficult for the proton to escape. Thus, the carboxylate ion is more stable and carboxylic acids have a lower pH than alcohols: the higher the number of protons in solution, the lower the pH.[1]


Polycarboxylate ethers serve as the main component of superplasticizers, admixtures used in the construction industry.


