TRANS-2-BUTENOIC ACID

Chemical properties

White to light yellow crystalline flakes

Chemical properties

2-Butenoic acid is a crystalline compound with a pungent odor.

The Uses of TRANS-2-BUTENOIC ACID

trans-Crotonic acid is used in the copolymerization of crotonic acid hydrogel systems by using gamma-rays. The crosslinked copolymeric crotonic acid hydrogels release fertilizers and drugs that help to prevent environmental pollution.

Preparation

(E)-2-Butenoic acid may be formed by oxidation of crotonaldehyde, 2-butenal. If (Z)-butenoic acid is heated at 180°C, it is converted to (E)-2-butenoid acid.

Definition

ChEBI: Crotonic acid is a but-2-enoic acid with a trans- double bond at C-2. It has been isolated from Daucus carota. It has a role as a plant metabolite. It is a conjugate acid of a crotonate.

General Description

Crotonic acid undergoes esterification with butan-2-ol by following second order reaction kinetics.

Flammability and Explosibility

Not classified

storage

Store at RT

Purification Methods

Distil the acid under reduced pressure and/or recrystallise it from pet ether (b 60-80o) or water, or by partial freezing of the melt. [Beilstein 2 IV 1498.]