Maleic Anhydride Is a Commonly Used and Important Basic Organic Chemical Raw Material

Maleic anhydride appears as colorless crystalline needles, flakes, spheres, rods, briquettes, chunks, or molten chunks. It melts at 113°F and is transported in solid and molten states. Its vapors, smoke, and dust strongly irritate the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes. Its flash point is 218°F. The auto-ignition temperature is 890°F. Maleic anhydride is used to manufacture paints, plastics, and other chemicals. Exposure to maleic anhydride may occur accidentally in the environment or in workplaces where it is produced or used. It has been observed that short-term inhalation of maleic anhydride by humans can cause respiratory and eye irritation, while long-term exposure can cause chronic bronchitis, asthma-like attacks, as well as upper respiratory tract and eye irritation.

Structural formula for maleic anhydride

The structure of maleic anhydride is a rhombic crystal system of colorless acicular or flake crystals. Maleic anhydride is an important basic raw material of unsaturated organic anhydride. It is used in the production of pesticides to synthesize diethyl malathion, the intermediate of organophosphorus insecticide malathion, 1-phenyl-3, 6-dihydroxypyridazine, and the intermediate of pyrethroid insecticide thrthrin, fungicide, and corzidan. In addition, Also used in the production of unsaturated polyester resin, ink additives, paper additives, coatings and pharmaceutical industry, food industry, etc.

Maleic anhydride is mainly used as raw material for the production of unsaturated polyester resin, alkyd resin, pesticide malathion, high efficiency and low toxicity pesticide and long-acting iodide. Also coatings, maleic rosin, polymaleic anhydride, maleic anhydride - styrene copolymer. It is also an organic chemical raw material for the production of ink auxiliaries, papermaking auxiliaries, plasticizers and tartaric acid, fumaric acid and tetrahydrofuran.

Maleic anhydride is the third largest anhydride material in the world after acetic anhydride and phthalic anhydride

The downstream products of maleic anhydride have considerable potential for development and application. It is primarily used to synthesize unsaturated polyester resins, which are raw materials for the manufacture of automotive parts, ships, corrosion-resistant chemical equipment, and daily-use products. Additionally, maleic anhydride is an important intermediate for the production of lubricant additives, coatings, pesticides, fumarated rosin, poly maleic anhydride, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers, food additives, and other products. Its hydrogenation derivatives include succinic anhydride, 1,4-butanediol, r-j-lactone, and tetrahydrofuran. Specifically, it is used in the following areas:

Used as raw materials for the production of 1,4-butanediol, γ-butyrolactone, tetrahydrofuran, succinic acid, unsaturated polyester resins, and alcohol-acid resins, as well as in the pharmaceutical and pesticide industries.
Used as a trap agent in mineral dressing.
Used for organic synthesis, as well as an intermediate for synthetic fibers.
In pesticide production, maleic anhydride is used as an intermediate for the synthesis of organophosphorus insecticide malathion's intermediate succinic acid dibutyl ester, pyrimidine organophosphate's intermediate 1-phenyl-3,6-dihydroxy-pyrimidine, and imidacloprid, fungicides, and herbicides. Additionally, it is used for the production of unsaturated polyester resins, ink additives, paper additives, coatings, and in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
Maleic anhydride is used as a raw material for the production of unsaturated polyester resins, alcohol-acid resins, malathion, efficient and low-toxic pesticides, long-acting iodine amine, coatings, fumarated rosin, poly maleic anhydride, styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers, as well as ink additives, paper additives, plasticizers, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, tetrahydrofuran, and other organic chemical raw materials.