2-Butenoic acid is a crystalline compound with a pungent odor.
White to light yellow crystalline flakes
trans-Crotonic acid is used in the copolymerization of crotonic acid hydrogel systems by using gamma-rays. The crosslinked copolymeric crotonic acid hydrogels release fertilizers and drugs that help to prevent environmental pollution.
ChEBI: Crotonic acid is a but-2-enoic acid with a trans- double bond at C-2. It has been isolated from Daucus carota. It has a role as a plant metabolite. It is a conjugate acid of a crotonate.
(E)-2-Butenoic acid may be formed by oxidation of crotonaldehyde, 2-butenal. If (Z)-butenoic acid is heated at 180°C, it
is converted to (E)-2-butenoid acid.
Crotonic acid undergoes esterification with butan-2-ol by following second order reaction kinetics.
Flammability and Explosibility
Not classified
Distil the acid under reduced pressure and/or recrystallise it from pet ether (b 60-80o) or water, or by partial freezing of the melt. [Beilstein 2 IV 1498.]
