Methylidenesuccinic acid, often known as itaconic acid, is an organic substance. This white solid dicarboxylic acid is soluble in acetone, ethanol, and water. Itaconic acid was once obtained through the distillation of citric acid, but nowadays it is made through fermentation. Itaconic acid is a name that was created as an anagram of aconitic acid, another citric acid derivative.
It is used in the ion-exchange chromatography, wastewater treatment, and polymer industries. When compared to gasoline, it can be transformed into 3-methyltetrahydrofuran, which has better combustion and emission characteristics.