Maleic anhydride reaction with hydrogen peroxide

Oxidation. Maleic and fumaric acids are oxidized in aqueous solution by ozone [10028-15-6] (qv) (85). Products of the reaction include glyoxyhc acid [298-12-4], oxalic acid [144-62-7], and formic acid [64-18-6], Catalytic oxidation of aqueous maleic acid occurs with hydrogen peroxide [7722-84-1] in the presence of sodium tungstate(VI) [13472-45-2] (86) and sodium molybdate(VI) [7631-95-0] (87). Both catalyst systems avoid formation of tartaric acid [133-37-9] and produce i j -epoxysuccinic acid [16533-72-5] at pH values above 5. The reaction of maleic anhydride and hydrogen peroxide in an inert solvent (methylene chloride [75-09-2]) gives permaleic acid [4565-24-6], HOOC—CH=CH—CO H (88) which is useful in Baeyer-ViUiger reactions. Both maleate and fumarate [142-42-7] are hydroxylated to tartaric acid using an osmium tetroxide [20816-12-0]/io 2LX.e [15454-31 -6] catalyst system (89). 

The catalytic or initiated reaction involves heating the poly(diene) in an aromatic solvent to temperatures between 120-150 °C in the presence of free radical initiators such as peroxides, hydroperoxides and azo compounds. The ensuing reaction involves addition of maleic anhydride to a polymeric radical which was formed by abstraction of an allylic hydrogen by initiator radicals. Four modes of addition are possible leading to partial structures such as (175)-(178) illustrated with poly(isoprene). It can readily be seen that some crosslinking is an inherent problem because of structures (177) and (178). The amount of gel formed, however, is found to be largely dependent on the initiator employed and can be minimized, especially with hydroperoxide initiators. 

Derivation Occurs naturally in wine lees made synthetically from maleic anhydride and hydrogen peroxide and by an enzymatic reaction with a succinic acid derivative. 

To a mixture of 5 g of 30% hydrogen peroxide and 2.9 g (18 mmol) of 2.11c contained in a wide-necked, round bottomed flask, 6 g of finely powdered maleic anhydride were added in portions while magnetically stirring. Mild heating caused an exothermic reaction to set in the course of the reaction was moderated by cooling with a water bath. After 24 h the solid obtained was basified with 10% aq. NaOH and extracted with 2 x 30 mL of... 

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