Aconitic acid

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.

Aconitic acid can be synthesized by dehydration of citric acid using sulfuric acid:

(HO₂CCH₂)₂C(OH)CO₂H → HO₂CCH=C(CO₂H)CH₂CO₂H + H₂O

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. It was first prepared by thermal dehydration.

References

1. Citric acid
2. Citric acid cycle
3. Itaconic acid
4. Propane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid
5. List of carboxylic acids
6. Homoaconitic acid
7. Tricarboxylic acid
8. Adonis vernalis
9. Aconitase
10. Grass tetany
11. C6H6O6
12. Imide
13. List of additives in cigarettes
14. Aspergillus terreus
15. Maleic anhydride
16. List of poisonous plants
17. 2,4,5-Trihydroxycinnamic acid
18. Aconitate decarboxylase
19. List of MeSH codes (D02)
20. Alisma orientale