Deprotonation

Deprotonation is a chemical reaction that involves the removal of a proton (H⁺) from a molecule. This process is a fundamental step in many chemical reactions and is particularly important in organic chemistry and biochemistry.

Overview

Deprotonation is the removal of a proton (a hydrogen cation, H⁺) from a Brønsted–Lowry acid. The reverse of a deprotonation reaction is a protonation reaction. Deprotonation and protonation occur in most acid-base reactions; they are the defining feature of these reactions. In an acid-base reaction, an acid plus a base reacts to form a conjugate base plus a conjugate acid.

Mechanism

Deprotonation is an important mechanism in acid-base reactions. The process involves the transfer of a proton from the acid to the base. The species that loses the proton is said to be deprotonated, while the species that accepts the proton is said to be protonated.

Factors affecting deprotonation

Several factors can affect the rate and extent of deprotonation. These include the strength of the acid, the strength of the base, the temperature, and the solvent. The presence of other substances that can act as acids or bases can also affect deprotonation.

Applications

Deprotonation has many applications in chemistry and biochemistry. It is a key step in many reactions, including organic synthesis, enzyme catalysis, and drug metabolism. In biochemistry, deprotonation is a crucial step in many metabolic processes.

See also

• Acid dissociation constant
• Acid-base reaction theories
• Protonation
• Brønsted–Lowry acid–base theory

References

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