Pyrocitric
Encyclopedia
Pyrocitric is a group of organic chemical
compounds pertaining to, or designating, any one of three acids obtained by the distillation of citric acid
, and called respectively citraconic
, itaconic
, and mesaconic acid
.
Organic chemistry
Organic chemistry is a subdiscipline within chemistry involving the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and preparation of carbon-based compounds, hydrocarbons, and their derivatives...
compounds pertaining to, or designating, any one of three acids obtained by the distillation of citric acid
Citric acid
Citric acid is a weak organic acid. It is a natural preservative/conservative and is also used to add an acidic, or sour, taste to foods and soft drinks...
, and called respectively citraconic
Citraconic acid
Citraconic acid is one of the pyrocitric acids formed upon the heating of citric acid. It is the cis-isomer of mesaconic acid....
, itaconic
Itaconic acid
Itaconic acid, or methylenesuccinic acid, is an organic compound. Itaconic acid is a white crystalline powder. Itaconic acid is a naturally occurring compound, non-toxic, and readily biodegradable. The name itaconic was devised as an anagram of aconitic.Historically, itaconic acid was obtained by...
, and mesaconic acid
Mesaconic acid
Mesaconic acid is one of several isomeric carboxylic acids obtained from citric acid. It is the trans-isomer of citraconic acid. It is used as a fire retardant.-History:...
.