A carboxyl group is a functional group in organic molecules made of a carbon atom bonded to both an oxygen atom and a hydroxyl group, written as –COOH. It is acidic because it can release a hydrogen ion (H⁺), leaving a negatively charged carboxylate group (–COO⁻).
In plants and soils, carboxyl groups occur in organic acids, amino acids, humic substances, and many other compounds. Their ability to bind positively charged ions can influence nutrient chelation, ion exchange, and the movement and availability of mineral nutrients.
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