Maleic anhydride

Maleic anhydride is an organic compound with the molecular formula C4H2O3.

Formula
C4H2O3
Molar mass
98.06 g/mol
Also known as
furan-2,5-dione, 2,5-Furandione, Toxilic anhydride, Maleic acid anhydride, cis-Butenedioic anhydride, Dihydro-2,5-dioxofuran

Overview

Maleic anhydride is an organic compound with the molecular formula C4H2O3.

Identifiers

Formula
C4H2O3
Molar mass
98.06 g/mol
Also known as
furan-2,5-dione, 2,5-Furandione, Toxilic anhydride, Maleic acid anhydride, cis-Butenedioic anhydride, Dihydro-2,5-dioxofuran
Chemical identifiers
SMILES
C1=CC(=O)OC1=O
InChI
InChI=1S/C4H2O3/c5-3-1-2-4(6)7-3/h1-2H
PubChem CID
7923

Properties

Melting Point
52.56 °C
Boiling Point
202.0 °C at 760 mm Hg
Density
1.5 g/cm³
Water solubility
In water: reaction with water

Related compounds

  • Acid anhydrides

    Maleic anhydride is a specific member of the acid anhydrides family.

References

  1. PubChem Compound Summary: Maleic anhydride (CID 7923)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem

    Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.

  2. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Maleic anhydride — melting pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7923#section=Melting-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Haynes, W.M. (ed.). CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. 95th Edition. CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton: FL 2014-2015, p. 3-340

  3. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Maleic anhydride — boiling pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7923#section=Boiling-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: O'Neil, M.J. (ed.). The Merck Index - An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, and Biologicals. Cambridge, UK: Royal Society of Chemistry, 2013., p. 1059

  4. ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs): Maleic anhydride — densityILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7923#section=Density. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred.

  5. Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Maleic anhydride — solubilityHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

    Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7923#section=Solubility. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: CDC; International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC) 2012. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Prevention & Control. National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH). Ed Info Div. Available from, as of Mar 10, 2015: https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcs/icstart.html