Carboxylic acids can be regenerated from the carboxylate salts using a process known as "acid springing". This process makes use of a high-molecular-weight tertiary amine (e.g., trioctylamine), which is switched with the cation (e.g., ammonium or calcium).
Carboxylic acids can be restored from their salt forms via a reaction known as "acid reactivation". This process employs a high-molecular-weight tertiary amine (e.g., trioctylamine) to replace the cation (e.g., ammonium or calcium).