MadSci Network: Chemistry
Query:

Re: How do to synthetis fumaric acid about maleic acid

Date: Mon Feb 22 17:09:25 1999
Posted By: David Barker, Grad student, Organic Chemistry, University of Sydney
Area of science: Chemistry
ID: 919697635.Ch
Message:

The simplest way to convert maleic acid to fumaric acid is using stong acid 
to isomerise the cis double bond(in maleic) to the trans double bond(in 
fumaric). This procedure comes from Vogels Practical Organic Chemistry 4th 
edition.

Dissolve 10g Maleic acid in 10ml of water water, add 20ml concentrated 
(10M) hydrochloric acid and boil gently under reflux for 30 minutes.

The Fumaric acid has a melting point at about 300 degrees celcius and isn't 
very soluble in water so will precipitate from the boiling water solution.

After 30 minutes cool the mixture and filter off the fumaric acid. 
Recrystallise the solid from hot 1M hydrochlorice acid to get pure fumaric 
acid.

Hopefully thats helps.

David Barker



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