maleic anhydride

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maleic anhydride

chemical compound

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June 17, 2026

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Maleic anhydride is a caustic, crystalline cyclic anhydride with the chemical formula C₄H₂O₃. It is used primarily in the production of resins.1

Industrially, maleic anhydride and maleic acid are produced by the catalytic oxidation of benzene. Maleic anhydride is interchangeable with maleic acid in most applications. Maleic acid is an unsaturated organic dibasic acid used in making polyesters for fiber-reinforced laminated moldings and paint vehicles, as well as in the manufacture of fumaric acid and other chemical products. Both maleic acid and its anhydride are irritating to the skin and toxic.2

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carboxylic acid
Polycarboxylic acids
Maleic anhydride, which is made industrially by oxidation of benzene (C₆H₆), is often used as a dienophile (isolated alkene component) in Diels-Alder reactions.
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Maleic anhydride, which is made industrially by oxidation of benzene (C₆H₆), is often used as a dienophile (isolated alkene component) in Diels-Alder reactions.
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major industrial polymers
Styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer
Styrene and maleic anhydride can be copolymerized in a bulk process using free-radical initiators to yield an alternating-block copolymer, as is illustrated schematically in Figure 3C. The copolymer repeating unit can be represented as:
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Styrene and maleic anhydride can be copolymerized in a bulk process using free-radical initiators to yield an alternating-block copolymer, as is illustrated schematically in Figure 3C. The copolymer repeating unit can be represented as:
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heterocyclic compound
Five-membered rings with one heteroatom
…derivatives of industrial importance are maleic anhydride and phthalic anhydride, which are constituents of resins and plastics. These compounds are prepared in bulk by the oxidation of benzene and naphthalene, respectively, as shown (V₂O₅ is a vanadium catalyst).
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…derivatives of industrial importance are maleic anhydride and phthalic anhydride, which are constituents of resins and plastics. These compounds are prepared in bulk by the oxidation of benzene and naphthalene, respectively, as shown (V₂O₅ is a vanadium catalyst).
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styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer
Maleic anhydride is a white solid obtained by the oxidation of benzene or butane. These two monomers can be mixed in a bulk process and induced to polymerize under the action of free-radical initiators. The result is a polymer with an alternating-block structure, in which…
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Maleic anhydride is a white solid obtained by the oxidation of benzene or butane. These two monomers can be mixed in a bulk process and induced to polymerize under the action of free-radical initiators. The result is a polymer with an alternating-block structure, in which…
Read More