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Maleic anhydride

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Identification
Molecular formula
C4H2O3
CAS number
108-31-6
IUPAC name
furan-2,5-dione
State
State

At room temperature, maleic anhydride is typically a solid.

Melting point (Celsius)
52.80
Melting point (Kelvin)
325.80
Boiling point (Celsius)
202.00
Boiling point (Kelvin)
475.00
General information
Molecular weight
98.06g/mol
Molar mass
98.0580g/mol
Density
1.4800g/cm3
Appearence

Maleic anhydride appears as colorless to white crystals or a white solid that can also be in the form of needles. It has a pungent and harsh odor.

Comment on solubility

Solubility of Furan-2,5-dione

Furan-2,5-dione, commonly referred to as maleic anhydride, exhibits distinct solubility characteristics that are crucial in various chemical applications. Its solubility can be summarized as follows:

  • Solvent Compatibility: Furan-2,5-dione is known to be soluble in a variety of organic solvents.
  • Polar Solvents: It shows good solubility in polar solvents such as ethanol, acetone, and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).
  • Apolar Solvents: Conversely, its solubility in non-polar solvents is considerably lower, which limits its effectiveness in certain applications.
  • Temperature Dependence: As with many compounds, solubility tends to increase with temperature, thus, heating the solvent can enhance the dissolution process.

It's essential to consider that the specific solubility may vary depending on factors such as the presence of moisture or other solutes. Therefore, for practical use, it’s advisable to conduct experiments to ascertain the solubility limits under the desired conditions.
In general, understanding the solubility profile of furan-2,5-dione not only aids in its practical applications but also provides insights into its chemical behavior and reactivity.

Interesting facts

Exploring Furan-2,5-dione

Furan-2,5-dione, commonly known as maleic anhydride, is a fascinating organic compound that plays a significant role in the field of chemistry. This dicarboxylic acid anhydride is an intriguing molecule due to its unique structure and properties, which allow it to participate in a variety of chemical reactions.

Key Characteristics and Applications

  • Reactivity: Furan-2,5-dione is highly reactive due to the presence of the anhydride functional group. It readily undergoes addition reactions with various nucleophiles, making it a valuable reagent in organic synthesis.
  • Synthesis of Polymers: This compound is essential in the manufacture of several types of polymers, including unsaturated polyester resins which are widely used in the production of fiberglass and other composite materials.
  • Pharmaceuticals and Agrochemicals: Its derivatives are used in the synthesis of various pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, showcasing its importance in medicinal chemistry and agriculture.

Historical Context

Discovered over a century ago, furan-2,5-dione has become a cornerstone in organic chemistry. Its simple yet versatile structure provides insights into various reaction mechanisms and pathway development.

Quote

As chemist Linus Pauling once stated, “The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas.” Furan-2,5-dione exemplifies this philosophy by enabling chemists to innovate across multiple fields through its myriad applications.

Conclusion

In summary, furan-2,5-dione is not just a simple anhydride—it's a pivotal compound that bridges theoretical chemistry with practical, real-world applications. Its ongoing significance in diverse areas, from materials science to pharmaceuticals, makes it a compelling subject of study for chemistry enthusiasts.

Synonyms
MALEIC ANHYDRIDE
108-31-6
2,5-Furandione
furan-2,5-dione
Toxilic anhydride
Maleic acid anhydride
cis-Butenedioic anhydride
Dihydro-2,5-dioxofuran
2,5-dihydrofuran-2,5-dione
Maleinanhydrid
RCRA waste number U147
2,5-Furanedione
NSC 137651
Anhydrid kyseliny maleinove
MALEICANHYDRIDE
CCRIS 2941
HSDB 183
CHEBI:474859
EINECS 203-571-6
UNII-V5877ZJZ25
BRN 0106909
AI3-24283
V5877ZJZ25
NSC-137651
184288-31-1
DTXSID7024166
EC 203-571-6
5-17-11-00055 (Beilstein Handbook Reference)
MFCD00005518
Maleic Anhydrides
Maleic anhydride-13C4
Maleinanhydrid [Czech]
Anhydride, Maleic
MALEIC ANHYDRIDE (2,3-13C2)
Anhydrid kyseliny maleinove [Czech]
UN2215
RCRA waste no. U147
C4H2O3
fumaric anhydride
2,5-furandion
furan-2,5-quinone
CRYSTAL MAN
2,5-Dioxo-dihydrofuran
Maleic anhydride, 99%
Epitope ID:122673
NOURYMIX MA 901
Lytron 810 (Salt/Mix)
Lytron 820 (Salt/Mix)
Maleic anhydride, briquettes
Maleic anhydride (briquette)
Maleic anhydride treated BSA
MALEIC ANHYDRIDE [MI]
(Z)-butanedioic acid anhydride
BDBM7812
CHEMBL374159
DTXCID804166
MALEIC ANHYDRIDE [HSDB]
Maleic anhydride, powder, 95%
NSC9568
BM 10
CS-Z0016
NSC-9568
Tox21_200406
NSC137651
NSC137652
NSC137653
STL197476
AKOS000121041
AKOS025243943
AT41751
FM33312
NSC-137652
NSC-137653
UN 2215
NCGC00248595-01
NCGC00257960-01
BP-20394
CAS-108-31-6
Maleic anhydride, for synthesis, 99.0%
Maleic anhydride [UN2215] [Corrosive]
M 188
M0005
NS00007158
EN300-17997
Maleic anhydride, puriss., >=99.0% (NT)
Maleic anhydride, SAJ first grade, >=98.0%
A801842
Q412377
F0001-0164
InChI=1/C4H2O3/c5-3-1-2-4(6)7-3/h1-2
Maleic anhydride, 95% (may contain up to 5% maleic acid)
203-571-6