Maleic acid
General Product Information
| Article | Maleic acid |
| Synonyms | (2Z)-But-2-enedioic acid, (Z)-Butenedioic acid; cis-Butenedioic acid; Malenic acid; Maleinic acid; Toxilic acid |
| CAS No. | 110-16-7 |
| EEG No. | 607-095-00-3 |
| EINECS No. | 203-742-5 |
| IMO | – |
| Tariff Code | 29171980 |
| UN No. | – |
| VLG/ADR | – |
Description
Maleic acid is an organic dicarboxylic acid widely used in industrial Applications because of its versatility. It is mainly used as an intermediate in the production of plastics, resins, and a wide range of chemicals. The BP Grade meets the requirements of the British Pharmacopoeia, meaning it is suitable for Applications in both the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry. Maleic acid is also used in Agriculture for the production of pesticides and fungicides.
Characteristics
- Grade: Pharmaceutical.
- BP Grade: High purity and meets stricter standards for solvent residues and other contaminants.
- High purity: Meets pharmaceutical requirements for use in medicinal applications.
- Hygroscopic: Absorbs moisture from the air.
- Taste: Strong sour taste.
- Stability: Maleic acid is stable under normal conditions, but it must be stored carefully to avoid unwanted polymerization. It is sensitive to heating, especially in the presence of certain catalysts
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Chemical Structure | C4H4O4 |
| Molar Weight | 116.07 g/mol |
| Melting Point | 130-139 °C |
| Boiling Point | – |
| Solubility | Highly soluble in water, ethanol and ether. |
| Density | 1.57 g/cm³ at 25°C |
| Refractive Index | – |
| pH | In solution about 2-3 |
| Color | White to light yellow |
| Shape | Crystalline Powder |
Applications
Malic acid is applied in various ways, for instance:
1. Pharmaceutical Industry
It serves as an intermediate in the production of drugs and is also used in the synthesis of other pharmaceutical compounds.
2. Plastics & Resins
Maleic acid is a crucial ingredient in the production of polyester resins, which in turn are used in the automotive industry, construction and at the production of composites and fiberglass reinforced materials.
3. Agriculture
In the agricultural industry, maleic acid is used at the production of herbicides, fungicides and pesticides.
4. Chemical Industry
Maleic acid is used at the production of water treatment products, solvents and other additives.
5. Food Industry
It is used to a limited extent as an additive in preservatives and to regulate the pH of products.
Interessing Links
- British Pharmacopoeia (BP) of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
- Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO) – Guidelines and standards for food additives and food ingredients.
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – For chemical information and regulations.
- European Food Information Council (EFIC) – Food facts for healthy choices.
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) – Information about safety and application of food additives.
- European Pharmacopoeia (EP) of the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare.
- PubChem – Maleic Acid of the National Library of Medicine by the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
- U.S. Pharmacopoeia (USP)
- Wikipedia – Maleic acid