Acrylate

The acrylate anion

The acrylate ion (C H₂=CHCOO⁻) is the ion of acrylic acid. Acrylates are the salts and esters of acrylic acid. They are also known as propenoates (since acrylic acid is also known as 2-propenoic acid).

Acrylates contain vinyl groups, that is, two carbon atoms double bonded to each other, directly attached to the carbonyl carbon.

Acrylates and methacrylates (the salts and esters of methacrylic acid) are common monomers in polymer plastics, forming the acrylate polymers. Acrylates easily form polymers because the double bonds are very reactive.

Acrylate has been suggested to be used by marine phytoplankton as a poisonous defense against predators such as protozoa. When attacked, DMSP lyase breaks down DMSP into DMS (g) and acrylate.

See also

• Acrylate polymer
• Sodium polyacrylate thickeners
• Methacrylate
• (Meth)acrylate

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