Kolbe reaction

noun

Kol·​be reaction

ˈkōlbə-

variants or Kolbe synthesis

1

: the synthesis of a hydrocarbon (as ethane) by the electrolysis of a salt (as sodium acetate)

2

: the synthesis of salicylic acid by heating a mixture of sodium phenoxide and carbon dioxide under pressure at 180° to 200° C

Word History

Etymology

after A. W. Hermann Kolbe †1884 German organic chemist

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