desprotonar

A chemistry term meaning to remove a proton (H⁺) from a molecule or ion, the reverse of protonate. It shows up specifically in organic chemistry and acid-base discussions — el ácido se desprotona en disolución básica — and essentially never outside a lab or chemistry classroom context.

• En medio básico, el ácido acético se desprotona. — In a basic medium, acetic acid deprotonates.
• La base fuerte desprotona rápidamente al alcohol. — The strong base quickly deprotonates the alcohol.
• Al desprotonarse, la molécula adquiere carga negativa. — Upon deprotonating, the molecule acquires a negative charge.

Using desprotonar outside chemistry as a vague synonym for "weaken" or "neutralize" — it's a precise technical term for the loss of a specific hydrogen ion, not a general metaphor.

Often confused with protonar.