Catalytic Synthesis of Dimethyl Fumarate with Maleic Anhydride

Dimethyl fumarate was synthesized with concentrated hydrochloric acid as chief catalyst and maleic anhydride and methanol as basic materials. Factors on the reaction were discussed.The optimum reaction conditions were as follows:molar ratio of methanol to maleic anhydride was 4:1,isomerization time 0.7 h,esterification time 4 h,mass ratio of catalyst to maleic anhydride was 3.5%.