Oxidative decarboxylation


Oxidative decarboxylation reactions are oxidation reactions in which a carboxylate group is removed, forming carbon dioxide. They often occur in biological systems: there are many examples in the citric acid cycle.
Compared to Simple decarboxylation which belongs to Lyase group, Oxidative decarboxylation belongs to Oxidoreductase group.

Citric acid cycle

In the citric acid cycle pyruvate dehydrogenase, isocitrate dehydrogenase, and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase catalyze oxidative decarboxylation reactions. Each reaction reduces NAD+ to NADH and generates CO2.

Other occurrences

The transformation of glyoxylate to formic acid is also an oxidative decarboxylation.