• May 20, 2026 Carboxylate Ion the carboxylic acid determines the ease of carboxylate ion formation. For instance, acetic acid (CH₃COOH), a weak acid, partially dissociates in water to form acetate ions (CH₃COO⁻) and hydronium ions (H₃O⁺). The carboxylate ion features a carbon a BY Jany Shields