Table of Contents
What is Maleic Acid?
Maleic acid is a colorless or white crystalline solid with a slightly unpleasant odor. It is soluble in water and ethanol. Maleic acid is used as a color and flavor additive, and as a corrosion inhibitor.
Maleic Acid – The Cis Form of Butenedioic Acid
Maleic acid is a carboxylic acid with the chemical formula C4H4O4. It is a colorless solid that is soluble in water. Maleic acid is produced industrially by the oxidation of benzene or butane. It is used as a precursor to other chemicals, and in the manufacture of polyesters.
The cis form of maleic acid, also called butenedioic acid, has two carboxylic acid groups bonded to the same carbon atom. This form is found in nature, and is responsible for the sour taste of some fruits. The trans form of maleic acid, with two carboxylic acid groups on different carbon atoms, is not found in nature.
Maleic Acid Properties
Maleic acid is an organic compound with the formula HOOCCH=CHCOOH. It is a colourless solid that is soluble in water. It is a dicarboxylic acid, meaning that it has two carboxylic acid groups.
Industrial Production and Applications of Maleic Acid
Industrial production of maleic acid is carried out by the oxidation of benzene with oxygen in the presence of a copper catalyst. The free radical mechanism of the oxidation results in the formation of benzoic acid and maleic acid.
Maleic acid is a dicarboxylic acid with the formula HOOCCH=CHCOOH. It is a colorless solid that is soluble in water and polar organic solvents. Maleic acid is produced on a large scale as a precursor to fumaric acid, which is used in the food industry and in the manufacture of polyesters. Maleic acid can also be used to make plastics, adhesives, and other specialty chemicals.
Conversion of Maleic Acid to Fumaric Acid
To convert maleic acid to fumaric acid, the maleic acid must first be dehydrated. This can be done by heating the maleic acid in the presence of a dehydrating agent, such as concentrated sulfuric acid.
