Studies of the Isomerization of Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids. II. The Thermal Rearrangement of Citraconic Acid to Itaconic Acid in Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

The thermal reaction of citraconic acid (2) in water gives a mixture of products similar to that obtained from itaconic acid (1) in water. After 22 h at 170 °C, the equilibrium composition about 74%, 18%, and 8% 1, 2, and mesaconic acid respectively. At the optimum conditions (170 °C for 3 h), the yield of 1 is 65%. The mechanism of the reaction is discussed.