Fermentation of Acetate
Acetic acid can also undergo a dismutation reaction to produce methane and carbon dioxide:
- CH3COO– + H+ → CH4 + CO2 ΔG° = -36 kJ/mol
This disproportionation reaction is catalysed by methanogen archaea in their fermentative metabolism. One electron is transferred from the carbonyl function (e– donor) of the carboxylic group to the methyl group (e– acceptor) of acetic acid to respectively produce CO2 and methane gas.
Read more about this topic: Acetate
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