Fumaric acid is an organic compound with the formula HO2CCH=CHCO2H. A white solid, fumaric acid occurs widely in nature. It has a fruit-like taste and has been used as a food additive. Its E number is E297.[3] The salts and esters are known as fumarates. Fumarate can also refer to the C
4
H
2
O2−
4
ion (in solution). Fumaric acid is the trans isomer of butenedioic acid, while maleic acid is the cis isomer.

Fumaric acid
Skeletal formula of fumaric acid
Ball-and-stick model of the fumaric acid molecule
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
(2E)-But-2-enedioic acid
Other names
  • Fumaric acid
  • trans-1,2-Ethylenedicarboxylic acid
  • 2-Butenedioic acid
  • trans-Butenedioic acid
  • Allomaleic acid
  • Boletic acid
  • Donitic acid
  • Lichenic acid
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
605763
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
DrugBank
ECHA InfoCard 100.003.404 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 203-743-0
E number E297 (preservatives)
49855
KEGG
RTECS number
  • LS9625000
UNII
UN number 9126
  • InChI=1S/C4H4O4/c5-3(6)1-2-4(7)8/h1-2H,(H,5,6)(H,7,8)/b2-1+ checkY
    Key: VZCYOOQTPOCHFL-OWOJBTEDSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C4H4O4/c5-3(6)1-2-4(7)8/h1-2H,(H,5,6)(H,7,8)/b2-1+
    Key: VZCYOOQTPOCHFL-OWOJBTEDBF
  • C(=C/C(=O)O)\C(=O)O
Properties
C4H4O4
Molar mass 116.072 g·mol−1
Appearance White solid
Density 1.635 g/cm3
Melting point 287 °C (549 °F; 560 K) (decomposes)[2]
4.9 g/L at 20 °C[1]
Acidity (pKa) pka1 = 3.03, pka2 = 4.44 (15 °C, cis isomer)
−49.11·10−6 cm3/mol
non zero
Pharmacology
D05AX01 (WHO)
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS07: Exclamation mark
Warning
H319
P264, P280, P305+P351+P338, P313
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroformFlammability 1: Must be pre-heated before ignition can occur. Flash point over 93 °C (200 °F). E.g. canola oilInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
2
1
0
375 °C (707 °F; 648 K)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
checkY verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

Biosynthesis and occurrence edit

It is produced in eukaryotic organisms from succinate in complex 2 of the electron transport chain via the enzyme succinate dehydrogenase.

Fumaric acid is found in fumitory (Fumaria officinalis), bolete mushrooms (specifically Boletus fomentarius var. pseudo-igniarius), lichen, and Iceland moss.

Fumarate is an intermediate in the citric acid cycle used by cells to produce energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from food. It is formed by the oxidation of succinate by the enzyme succinate dehydrogenase. Fumarate is then converted by the enzyme fumarase to malate.

Human skin naturally produces fumaric acid when exposed to sunlight.[4][5]

Fumarate is also a product of the urea cycle.

Click on genes, proteins and metabolites below to link to respective articles. [§ 1]

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|alt=TCACycle_WP78 edit]]
TCACycle_WP78 edit
  1. ^ The interactive pathway map can be edited at WikiPathways: "TCACycle_WP78".

Uses edit

Food edit

Fumaric acid has been used as a food acidulant since 1946. It is approved for use as a food additive in the EU,[6] USA[7] and Australia and New Zealand.[8] As a food additive, it is used as an acidity regulator and can be denoted by the E number E297. It is generally used in beverages and baking powders for which requirements are placed on purity. Fumaric acid is used in the making of wheat tortillas as a food preservative and as the acid in leavening.[9] It is generally used as a substitute for tartaric acid and occasionally in place of citric acid, at a rate of 1 g of fumaric acid to every ~1.5 g of citric acid, in order to add sourness, similarly to the way malic acid is used. As well as being a component of some artificial vinegar flavors, such as "Salt and Vinegar" flavored potato chips,[10] it is also used as a coagulant in stove-top pudding mixes.

The European Commission Scientific Committee on Animal Nutrition, part of DG Health, found in 2014 that fumaric acid is "practically non-toxic" but high doses are probably nephrotoxic after long-term use.[11]

Medicine edit

Fumaric acid was developed as a medicine to treat the autoimmune condition psoriasis in the 1950s in Germany as a tablet containing 3 esters, primarily dimethyl fumarate, and marketed as Fumaderm by Biogen Idec in Europe. Biogen would later go on to develop the main ester, dimethyl fumarate, as a treatment for multiple sclerosis.

In patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, the ester dimethyl fumarate (BG-12, Biogen) significantly reduced relapse and disability progression in a phase 3 trial. It activates the Nrf2 antioxidant response pathway, the primary cellular defense against the cytotoxic effects of oxidative stress.[12]

Other uses edit

Fumaric acid is used in the manufacture of polyester resins and polyhydric alcohols and as a mordant for dyes.

When fumaric acid is added to their feed, lambs produce up to 70% less methane during digestion.[13]

Synthesis edit

Fumaric acid is produced based on catalytic isomerisation of maleic acid in aqueous solutions at low pH. It precipitates from the reaction solution. Maleic acid is accessible in large volumes as a hydrolysis product of maleic anhydride, produced by catalytic oxidation of benzene or butane.[3]

Historic and laboratory routes edit

Fumaric acid was first prepared from succinic acid.[14] A traditional synthesis involves oxidation of furfural (from the processing of maize) using chlorate in the presence of a vanadium-based catalyst.[15]

Reactions edit

The chemical properties of fumaric acid can be anticipated from its component functional groups. This weak acid forms a diester, it undergoes bromination across the double bond,[16] and it is a good dienophile.

Safety edit

Fumaric acid is required for life. The oral LD50 is 10g/kg.[3]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Record in the GESTIS Substance Database of the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  2. ^ Pubchem. "Fumaric acid". pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
  3. ^ a b c Lohbeck, Kurt; Haferkorn, Herbert; Fuhrmann, Werner; Fedtke, Norbert (2000). "Maleic and Fumaric Acids". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. doi:10.1002/14356007.a16_053. ISBN 3527306730.
  4. ^ Active Ingredients Used in Cosmetics: Safety Survey, Council of Europe. Committee of Experts on Cosmetic Products
  5. ^ "Fumaric Acid Foods". Retrieved 2018-04-22.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ UK Food Standards Agency: "Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers". Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  7. ^ US Food and Drug Administration: "Listing of Food Additives Status Part II". Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  8. ^ Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code"Standard 1.2.4 - Labelling of ingredients". Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  9. ^ "Fumaric Acid - The Chemical Company". The Chemical Company. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
  10. ^ Eats, Serious. "The Science Behind Salt and Vinegar Chips". www.seriouseats.com.
  11. ^ European Commission: "European Commission Report of the Scientific Committee on Animal Nutrition on the Safety of Fumaric Acid" (PDF). Retrieved 2014-03-07.
  12. ^ Gold R.; Kappos L.; Arnold D.L.; et al. (September 20, 2012). "Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Study of Oral BG-12 for Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis". N Engl J Med. 367 (12): 1098–1107. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1114287. PMID 22992073. S2CID 6614191.
  13. ^ "Scientists look to cut cow flatulence". phys.org. March 21, 2008.
  14. ^ Volhard, J. "Darstellung von Maleïnsäureanhydrid" Justus Liebig's Annalen der Chemie 1892, volume 268, page 255-6. doi:10.1002/jlac.18922680108
  15. ^ Nicholas A. Milas (1931). "Fumaric Acid". Organic Syntheses. 11: 46. doi:10.15227/orgsyn.011.0046.
  16. ^ Herbert S. Rhinesmith (1938). "α,β-Dibromosuccinic Acid". Organic Syntheses. 18: 17. doi:10.15227/orgsyn.018.0017.

External links edit