110-17-8

A colorless crystalline solid. The primary hazard is the threat to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit spread to the environment. Combustible, though may be difficult to ignite. Used to make paints and plastics, in food processing and preservation, and for other uses.

FUMARIC ACID(110-17-8) is a carboxylic acid. Carboxylic acids donate hydrogen ions if a base is present to accept them. They react in this way with all bases, both organic (for example, the amines) and inorganic. Their reactions with bases, called "neutralizations", are accompanied by the evolution of substantial amounts of heat. Neutralization between an acid and a base produces water plus a salt. Carboxylic acids with six or fewer carbon atoms are freely or moderately soluble in water; those with more than six carbons are slightly soluble in water. Soluble carboxylic acid dissociate to an extent in water to yield hydrogen ions. The pH of solutions of carboxylic acids is therefore less than 7.0. Many insoluble carboxylic acids react rapidly with aqueous solutions containing a chemical base and dissolve as the neutralization generates a soluble salt. Carboxylic acids in aqueous solution and liquid or molten carboxylic acids can react with active metals to form gaseous hydrogen and a metal salt. Such reactions occur in principle for solid carboxylic acids as well, but are slow if the solid acid remains dry. Even "insoluble" carboxylic acids may absorb enough water from the air and dissolve sufficiently in FUMARIC ACID(110-17-8) to corrode or dissolve iron, steel, and aluminum parts and containers. Carboxylic acids, like other acids, react with cyanide salts to generate gaseous hydrogen cyanide. The reaction is slower for dry, solid carboxylic acids. Insoluble carboxylic acids react with solutions of cyanides to cause the release of gaseous hydrogen cyanide. Flammable and/or toxic gases and heat are generated by the reaction of carboxylic acids with diazo compounds, dithiocarbamates, isocyanates, mercaptans, nitrides, and sulfides. Carboxylic acids, especially in aqueous solution, also react with sulfites, nitrites, thiosulfates (to give H2S and SO3), dithionites (SO2), to generate flammable and/or toxic gases and heat. Their reaction with carbonates and bicarbonates generates a harmless gas (carbon dioxide) but still heat. Like other organic compounds, carboxylic acids can be oxidized by strong oxidizing agents and reduced by strong reducing agents. These reactions generate heat. A wide variety of products is possible. Like other acids, carboxylic acids may initiate polymerization reactions; like other acids, they often catalyze (increase the rate of) chemical reactions. Partial carbonization and formation of maleic anhydride occur at 446° F (open vessel).

Slightly soluble in water.

Inhalation of dust may cause respiratory irritation. Compound is non-toxic when ingested. Prolonged contact with eyes or skin may cause irritation.

Fumaric acid is used in production of resins, polyesters, plasticizers, and alkyl surface coatings; as a food additive; as an antioxidant in resins; to make dyes.

If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove any contact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least 15 minutes, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts the skin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediately with soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure, begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, includ ing resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR if heart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medical facility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medi cal attention. Give large quantities of water and induce vomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.

Dust cloud from powder or granular form mixed with air can explode. Incompatible with oxidi zers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlo rates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides, sulfuric acid, caustics, ammonia, amines, isocyanates, alkylene oxi des; epichlorohydrin. Decomposes above 350℃ forming toxic fumes of maleic anhydride.

Use a licensed professional waste disposal service to dispose of this material. Dissolve or mix the material with a combustible solvent and burn in a chemical incinerator equipped with an afterburner and scrubber. All federal, state, and local environmental regula tions must be observed.

Reported found in several plants, Fumaria offcinalis L , Boletus scaber Boll and lean raw fsh

butenedioic acid: Either oftwo isomers with the formulaHCOOHC:CHCOOH. Both compoundscan be regarded as derivativesof ethene in which a hydrogenatom on each carbon has been replacedby a –COOH group. The compoundsshow cis–trans isomerism.The trans form is fumaric acid (r.d.1.64; sublimes at 165°C) and the cisform is maleic acid (r.d. 1.59; m.p.139–140°C). Both are colourless crystallinecompounds used in makingsynthetic resins. The cis form israther less stable than the trans formand converts to the trans form at120°C. Unlike the trans form it caneliminate water on heating to form acyclic anhydride containing a–CO.O.CO– group (maleic anhydride).Fumaric acid is an intermediate inthe Krebs cycle.

ChEBI: A butenedioic acid in which the C2C double bond has E geometry. It is an intermediate metabolite in the citric acid cycle.

Either of two isomers. Transbutenedioic acid (fumaric acid) is a crystalline compound found in certain plants. Cisbutenedioic acid (maleic acid) is used in the manufacture of synthetic resins. It can be converted into the trans isomer by heating at 120°C.

By the action of certain fungi (Rhizopus nigricans) on glucose; by oxidation of furfural with sodium chlorate in the pres- ence of vanadium pentoxide.

Commercially, fumaric acid may be prepared from glucose by the action of fungi such as Rhizopus nigricans, as a by-product in the manufacture of maleic and phthalic anhydrides, and by the isomerization of maleic acid using heat or a catalyst.
On the laboratory scale, fumaric acid can be prepared by the oxidation of furfural with sodium chlorate in the presence of vanadium pentoxide.

Currently, fumaric acid is mainly manufactured by chemical synthesis via the precursor maleic acid, which is produced using either benzene or n-butane via catalytic oxidation. However, there are enzymatic and fermentative production routes for fumaric acid. Prior to the advent of inexpensive petroleumbased chemistry, fumaric acid was produced commercially by fermentation using organisms of the genus Rhizopus with an annual production of 4,000 metric tons . Product concentrations from 30 to 130 g.L-1 with yields from 0.3 to 1.0 g of fumaric acid per gram of glucose and productivities of 0.46–2.0 g.L-1.h-1 have been reported growing on glucose .
In recent years, new approaches using metabolic engineering have been studied. For example, fumaric acid concentrations of 28.2 g.L-1 with a productivity of 0.448 g.L-1.h-1 have been reached in fed-batch cultivation of a genetic modified E. coli . To achieve this result, eight modifications have been implemented.
Fumaric acid could be alternatively synthesized by an enzymatic process starting from maleic acid as in the chemical synthesis. By whole-cell biocatalysis of the Pseudomonas alcaligenes strain XD-1, a yield of 0.698 g of fumaric acid per gram of maleic acid and a production rate of 6.98 g.L-1.h-1 have been reached . The process has been optimized. The formation of the byproduct malic acid was avoided due to an inactivation of fumarase by a heat treatment of the cells beforehand. Finally, a yield of 0.95 g fumaric acid per gram maleic acid and a production rate of 14.25 g.L-1.h-1 have been observed.

Nonflammable

Fumaric acid is used primarily in liquid pharmaceutical preparations as an acidulant and flavoring agent. Fumaric acid may be included as the acid part of effervescent tablet formulations, although this use is limited as the compound has an extremely low solubility in water. It is also used as a chelating agent which exhibits synergism when used in combination with other true antioxidants.
In the design of novel pelletized formulations manufactured by extrusion–spheronization, fumaric acid was used to aid spheronization, favoring the production of fine pellets. It has also been investigated as an alternative filler to lactose in pellets.
Fumaric acid has been investigated as a lubricant for effervescent tablets, and copolymers of fumaric acid and sebacic acid have been investigated as bioadhesive microspheres.It has been used in film-coated pellet formulations as an acidifying agent and also to increase drug solubility.
Fumaric acid is also used as a food additive at concentrations up to 3600 ppm, and as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of psoriasis and other skin disorders.

Fumaric acid is used in oral pharmaceutical formulations and food products, and is generally regarded as a relatively nontoxic and nonirritant material. However, acute renal failure and other adverse reactions have occurred following the topical and systemic therapeutic use of fumaric acid and fumaric acid derivatives in the treatment of psoriasis or other skin disorders. Other adverse effects of oral therapy have included disturbances of liver function, gastrointestinal effects, and flushing.
The WHO has stated that the establishment of an estimated acceptable daily intake of fumaric acid or its salts was unnecessary since it is a normal constituent of body tissues.
LD50 (mouse, IP): 0.1 g/kg
LD50 (rat, oral): 9.3 g/kg

No evidence of carcinogenicity was found in several chronic studies with rats in which fumaric acid was added to the diet at concentrations up to 1.5%. As for dermal application, Swiss mice were treated topically twice weekly with a 1% solution in acetone (volume not specified). Moderate focal hyperplasia was found in the treated group, but no tumors developed.
The inhibitory effect of fumaric acid on hepatocarcinogenesis was examined in male IBR mice fed 0.035% thioacetamide in the diet for 40 weeks and then fed a basal diet for 48 weeks. The inhibitory effect of 1% fumaric acid in the basal diet on thioacetamide carcinogenesis was so marked that no hepatic carcinomas were found in any of the 15 animals fed fumaric acid in combination with thioacetamide . Similar inhibitory effects of fumaric acid on forestomach and lung carcinogenesis in mice (that resulted from exposure to potassium naphthyridine-3-carboxylate) have been identified.

Fumaric acid is stable although it is subject to degradation by both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms. When heated in sealed vessels with water at 150–170°C it forms DL-malic acid.
The bulk material should be stored in a well-closed container in a cool, dry place.

Crystallise it from hot M HCl or water and dry it at 100o. [Beilstein 2 IV 2202.]

GRAS listed. Accepted for use as a food additive in Europe. Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (oral capsules, suspensions, syrups, extended release and sustained action chewable tablets). Included in the Canadian List of Acceptable Nonmedicinal Ingredients.