Maleic acid di (2-ethylhexyl) ester

Maleic acid di (2-ethylhexyl) ester by Celanese is dioctyl maleate. It exhibits an ester-like odor. Under the action of heat and in the presence of acids or bases, it transposes into the corresponding fumaric acid dialkyl ester. Permits the addition reactions normally possible with compounds having olefinic double bonds and is suitable as a dienophile for diene synthesis using the Diels-Alder reaction. 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.