Aconitic acid is an organic acid. The two isomers are cis-aconitic acid and trans-aconitic acid. The conjugate base of cis-aconitic acid, cis-aconitate is an intermediate in the isomerization of citrate to isocitrate in the citric acid cycle. It is acted upon by the enzyme aconitase.
cis-aconitic acid
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trans-aconitic acid
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Names | |
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Preferred IUPAC name
Prop-1-ene-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid | |
Other names
Achilleic acid; equisetic acid; citridinic acid; pyrocitric acid; achilleaic acid; acinitic acid
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Identifiers | |
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ChemSpider |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.007.162 |
PubChem CID
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UNII |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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Properties | |
C6H6O6 | |
Molar mass | 174.108 g·mol−1 |
Appearance | Colorless crystals |
Melting point | 190 °C (374 °F; 463 K) (decomposes) (mixed isomers), 173 °C (cis and trans isomers) |
Acidity (pKa) | 2.80, 4.46 (trans isomer)[2] |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Infobox references
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Aconitic acid can be synthesized by dehydration of citric acid using sulfuric acid:[3]
A mixture of isomers are generated in this way.
Aconitic acid was originally isolated from Aconitum napellus by Swiss chemist and apothecary Jacques Peschier in 1820.[4][5] It was first prepared by thermal dehydration.[6]