Maleic anhydride (MA) belongs to the class of monomers known as cyclic dicarboxylic anhydrides. It is commonly used in polymerization reactions to produce various types of polymers such as. poly(maleic anhydride) (PMA), maleic anhydride-based resins, and maleic anhydride-butadiene copolymers (MABS), etc.
These MA-based polymers find applications in various fields including. polymer blends and coatings, epoxy resins, semiconductor devices, secondary batteries, lithium-ion batteries, resin films, glass fiber, coatings, packaging, water treatment, and drug delivery systems. Additionally, MA can be grafted onto other polymers, to enhance their performance and compatibility with other materials. Grafted polymers find applications in the automotive. packaging, and construction industries.
This chemical is also used as an electron-acceptor monomer in the development of various antimicrobial. polymers due to their reactive double bonds and reactive anhydride groups.
The structure of maleic acid consists. of four carbon molecules along with carboxylate. groups on either ends. with a double bond between the central carbon atoms.
The anhydride of maleic acid has five atoms. in its cyclic molecule. the unsaturated bond undergoes free radical polymerization in the presence of an initiator.
