What is formed after the decarboxylation of α-ketoglutaric acid in the citric acid cycle?

Step-by-step solution

The TCA cycle starts with the condensation of acetyl group with oxaloacetic acid (OAA) and water to yield citric acid (Figure 12.3). The reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme citrate synthase and a molecule of CoA is released. Citrate is then isomerized to isocitrate. It is followed by two successive steps of decarboxylation, leading to the formation of α-ketoglutaric acid and then succinyl-CoA . In the remaining steps of citric acid cycle, succinyl-CoA is oxidized to OAA allowing the cycle to continue.