citraconic

Citraconic refers to a set of chemical compounds derived from citric acid. Specifically, it is often used as a general term for citraconic anhydride and citraconic acid. Citraconic anhydride is a cyclic anhydride formed by the dehydration of citraconic acid. Citraconic acid, also known as methylmaleic acid, is a dicarboxylic acid. It is an isomer of itaconic acid and maleic acid.

Citraconic anhydride is a white crystalline solid. It is soluble in water and organic solvents. Its chemical formula is C5H4O3. Citraconic acid is also a solid. Its chemical formula is C5H6O4. These compounds are important in organic synthesis.

Citraconic anhydride can be used as a monomer in the production of polymers and resins. It is also employed in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Citraconic acid itself has found applications in various chemical processes, including as a chelating agent and as a precursor for other organic molecules. The reactivity of the double bond and the anhydride group makes these compounds versatile building blocks in chemistry. They are typically produced through the isomerization of itaconic acid or by other synthetic routes starting from readily available precursors.