Maleic Anhydride

 
Maleic anhydride is a highly reactive chemical intermediate with present and potential uses in practically every field of industrial chemistry.  It is essential to the production of a multitude of resins and plastics, agricultural and industrial chemicals, petroleum additives,  paper sizing, water treatment chemicals, epoxy curing agents, artificial sweeteners, flavor enhancers, hair sprays, pharmaceuticals and copolymers.  Its biggest single use is in the manufacture of unsaturated polyester resins.  LANXESS offers molten maleic anhydride from its production site in Baytown, TX in tank trucks, rail cars, and bulk isocontainers .

Advantages of maleic anhydride as intermediate:
Chemical conversions of maleic anhydride are a result of its structure.  An acid anhydride group, a reactive double bond and the easy conversion of many of its derivatives into isomeric derivatives of fumaric acid make it a multifaceted resin-former and organic reactant for a variety of chemical transformations.

Chemical and physical properties:

Maleic anhydride is a solid at room temperature. Above 52.9 °C  it becomes a clear, colorless, low viscosity liquid.  Maleic anhydride is soluble in water forming maleic acid.