It plays an important role as an antimicrobial agent that blocks the transformation of Leishmania donovani amastigotes to prostigotes. trans-Aconitic acid is also used in synthesis of aconitate esters. It may be used for cross-linking polyvinyl alcohol film for preparing composite nanofiltration membranes.
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ChEBI: The trans-isomer of aconitic acid.
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trans-Aconitic acid is inhibitor of the tricarboxylic acid cycle and was identified in range grasses.
Purification Methods
Purify trans-acid by dissolving it in AcOH (77g/150mL), filtering and cooling. The acid separates (55g) as colourless needles. A further quantity (10g) can be obtained by reducing the volume of the filtrate. The acid is dried in air then in a vacuum desiccator over NaOH. The acid can be recrystallised from Me2CO/CHCl3. The highest melting point is obtained with the very dry acid. A melting point of 209o was obtained on a Dennis bar [Dennis & Shalton J Am Chem Soc 52 3128 1930, Bruce Org Synth Coll Vol II 12 1943]. [Beilstein 2 IV 2405.]
