Monomethyl maleate

Monomethyl maleate, also known as maleic acid monomethyl ester, is an unsaturated monomer that belongs to the glycol ether group. It is used in the production of polyvinyl alcohol with strong resistance to water vapor. It can also function as a solvent for tiglic acid and for copolymerization with other monomers, such as citric acid and maleate or ethylene. Additionally, it can be used as an anhydride in the manufacturing of glycol ethers.

It is a colorless liquid that has a melting point of -37°C and a boiling point of 160°C. When combined with AMC-2 catalyst, monomethyl maleate reacts with 65% of the available epoxy groups, resulting in the formation of monomethyl maleic esters of ESO (MESO).

Maleic Acid Monomethyl Ester, is relative to Maleic Anhydride (M124400), which is a heterocyclic compound used in the manufacture of unsaturated polyester resins. Maleic Anhydride has a wide range of other applications; it can also be used in synthetic tensides, insecticides, herbicides and fungicides.

The preparation method for monomethyl maleate involves the following steps:
1. Take an amount of maleic anhydride raw material and add about 90% methyl alcohol to it.
2. Stir the mixture and allow the maleic anhydride to dissolve completely.
3. Add the remaining methyl alcohol to the mixture and continue stirring for 30 minutes.
4. The reaction can be carried out at room temperature or at a temperature range of 30 to 55 ℃.
5. Maintain the stirring speed of 30 to 60 rev/min during the reaction.
6. The alcoholysis reaction should take no more than 1 hour.
7. The resulting mixture transforms into a transparent viscous liquid at room temperature, which is identified as monomethyl maleate.
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