Itaconic Acid: A Green And Renewable Chemical for Various Applications

Itaconic acid, also known as methylenesuccinic acid or 2-methylidenebutanedioic acid, is an organic compound with the formula C5H6O4. It is a white crystalline solid or powder with a distinctive odor. It is derived from the fermentation of carbohydrates, such as glucose or starch, by microorganisms. It is a green and renewable chemical that can replace petroleum-based products in various applications, such as:

Deodorizers: Itaconic acid can be added to polymers to produce efficient deodorizers, which can react with ammonia, amines, and hydrogen sulfide, the main sources of bad odors. It can also be used to make paper, plastic film, and other products with deodorizing functions.

S.B.R latex: Itaconic acid can be copolymerized with styrene and butadiene to produce S.B.R latex, which can be used for paper coating, making the paper strong and the printing pattern bright. It can also be used for metal and concrete coating, which is easy to color and resistant to natural conditions. It can also be used as a paint additive to improve the paint quality. It can also be used for carpet sizing, making the synthetic fiber carpet durable.

Resins and emulsion paints: Itaconic acid can be polymerized with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid or their esters to produce resins, which can be used for surface coating and emulsion paints. As a leather coating, it can increase the plasticity of leather. As a coating for automobiles, appliances, and refrigerators, it has strong adhesion, beautiful color, and resistance to harsh weather. As an electrophoretic coating, it has excellent adhesion. By adding multivalent metal oxides, it can be made into a dental adhesive with good extrusion performance, strong bonding, and good physiological adaptability. By adding chloroalkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, it can be made into a water-soluble coating, which can be used for food packaging materials, reducing the bacterial contamination on the surface of the packaging.

Esters: Itaconic acid can be made into esters, which can be used for paints, weak acid ion exchange resins, lubricant additives, binders and plasticizers, powder molding plastics, and sealants.

Other derivatives: Itaconic acid can be used for other derivatives, which can be used as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics reagents, lubricants, thickeners, herbicides, and improving the performance of silk and wool fabrics.

Raw material: Itaconic acid is the raw material for producing citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, itaconic anhydride, etc.

This product has low toxicity and little harm to health, but its vapor is toxic. The equipment should be sealed during production, and the operators should wear protective equipment.