2321. Citraconic Acid

Nomenclature

CAS number: 498-23-7
(Z)-2-Methyl-2-butenedioic acid; methylmaleic acid.
C5H6O4; mol wt 130.10.
C 46.16%, H 4.65%, O 49.19%.

Description and references

Obtained by carefully heating citric acid at about 175°. Production of citraconic anhydride from itaconic acid: Humphrey, US 2966498 (1960 to Pfizer). Toxicity study: P. M. Jenner et al., Food Cosmet. Toxicol. 2, 327 (1964).

Chemical structure

Properties

Hygroscopic monoclinic crystals; characteristic odor. d 1.62. mp ≈90° (dec). Freely sol in water, alc, ether, slightly in chloroform. Practically insol in benzene, petr ether. LD50 in rats, mice (mg/kg): 1320, 2260 orally (Jenner).