Maleic anhydride, also known as maleic acid anhydride, anhydrous maleic acid, and cis-butenedioic anhydride, is the anhydride of maleic acid. As an important organic chemical raw material, it has extensive applications in multiple industrial fields. Below are some of the common roles of maleic anhydride.

Molecular Formula:C4H2O3

CAS No.108-31-6
 

Plastics Industry: Maleic anhydride is primarily used as a raw material for manufacturing plasticizers in the plastics industry. Plasticizers are substances added to plastics to improve their flexibility, processability, and durability. The addition of maleic anhydride can significantly enhance the performance of plastics, making them more suitable for various applications.

Paper Industry: In the paper industry, maleic anhydride is used to manufacture paper treatment agents, which improve paper strength and durability, enhance printing performance and gloss, making paper more suitable for various printing and writing needs.

Synthetic Resin Industry: Maleic anhydride is an important raw material for manufacturing unsaturated polyester resins and alkyd resins. These resins have wide applications in coatings, paints, adhesives, and other fields, playing a crucial role in improving product performance and quality.

Coatings Industry: Maleic anhydride also has extensive applications in the coatings industry. It can be used to manufacture insulating varnishes, white enamel paints, baking enamels, clear coats, and other coating products. These coatings have good insulating properties, weather resistance, and decorative properties, widely used in electrical, construction, furniture, and other fields.

Pesticide Industry: Maleic anhydride is a crucial raw material for manufacturing pesticides, such as Marathon and high-efficiency, low-toxicity pesticide 4049. These pesticides play an important role in protecting crops from pests and diseases, improving crop yields and quality. At the same time, it can also be used as an intermediate for synthesizing organophosphorus insecticides such as malathion.

Pharmaceutical Industry: In the pharmaceutical industry, maleic anhydride is not only an important raw material for preparing pharmaceutical intermediates but also used to manufacture long-acting sulfonamides and other drugs. These drugs play an important role in treating various diseases and safeguarding people's health.

Oil and Fat Industry: Maleic anhydride serves as a preservative for fats and oils in the oil and fat industry, extending the shelf life of oils and fats and reducing oxidation-induced deterioration and loss.

Organic Industry: Maleic anhydride is used to manufacture fumaric acid and tetrahydrofuran, which have wide applications in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and pesticide industries. Additionally, it serves as an intermediate for synthesizing polymers, undergoing copolymerization reactions with monomers such as ethylene and propylene to produce polymaleic anhydride, maleic anhydride-amide copolymers, and other polymer materials.

Food Additives: In the food additive sector, maleic anhydride acts as an acidifier, leavening agent, preservative, and antisettling agent, widely used in the bakery, canned food, meat products, and fruit juice industries. By adjusting the pH of food, it improves taste and flavor while extending shelf life.

Metal Ore Dressing: In metal ore dressing processes, maleic anhydride serves as a collector, aiding in the effective extraction of metals.

In summary, maleic anhydride, as a versatile organic chemical raw material, plays an important role in various fields. With technological advancements and industrial development, the application fields of maleic anhydride will continue to expand and deepen.