Huntsman Petrochemical Corporation, 2001. – 58 p.
Scientific and technological developments in the manufacture and use of maleic anhydride, maleic acid, and fumaric acid are reviewed over the past 20 years. Physical and chemical properties for these three chemicals are updated with literature citations when available. Key derivatives are summarized including acid chlorides and reaction products of these chemicals formed from acylation, alkylation, amidation, concerted nonpolar reactions of various kinds, decomposition and decarboxylation, electrophilic addition, esterification, free-radical reactions, Grignard-type reactions, halogenation, hydration and dehydration, hydroformylation, isomerization, ligation to metal atoms, nucleophilic addition, oxidation, polymerization, reduction, and sulfonation. Manufacturing processes for maleic anhydride are described including those using fixed-bed, fluidized-bed, and transport-bed technologies for selective oxidation of butane. A survey is given of catalyst developments through the end of 2000. Regardless of the reactor type used, all catalysts producing maleic anhydride from butane consist of a vanadyl pyrophosphate phase, (VO)2P2O
7. Details are presented on maleic anhydride and its two diacid isomers with respect to shipment, economic aspects, specifications, analytical and test methods, toxicology, and principal uses.
