Maleic acid di (2-ethylhexyl) ester

Maleic acid di (2-ethylhexyl) ester by Celanese is dioctyl maleate with an ester-like odor. Suitable as a dienophile for diene synthesis using the Diels-Alder reaction.

• Transposes into the corresponding fumaric acid dialkyl ester under heat and in the presence of acids or bases.
• Permits the addition reactions which are usually possible with compounds having olefinic double bonds.
• Maleic acid di (2-ethylhexyl) ester is miscible with methanol, ethanol, acetone, di-ethyl ether, N, N-dimethyl form-amide, and toluene, but not with water and aliphatic hydrocarbons.