What is "decarboxylation"

n. (context organic chemistry English) The removal of one or more carboxyl groups from a molecule

n. the process of removing a carboxyl group from a chemical compound (usually replacing it with hydrogen)

Decarboxylation is a chemical reaction that removes a carboxyl group and releases carbon dioxide (CO). Usually, decarboxylation refers to a reaction of carboxylic acids, removing a carbon atom from a carbon chain. The reverse process, which is the first chemical step in photosynthesis, is called carboxylation, the addition of CO to a compound. Enzymes that catalyze decarboxylations are called decarboxylases or, the more formal term, carboxy-lyases ( EC number 4.1.1).