FUMARIC ACID Properties: Colorless, odorless crystals; fruit acid taste. Stable in air, d 1.635, sublimes at 290C, mp 287C (sealed tube), soluble in water 0.63g/100g (25C), soluble in alcohol 5.76 g/100 g (30C), insoluble in chloroform and benzene. Combustible. Derivation: (a) Isomerization of maleic acid, (b) catalytic oxidation of benzene. Grade:Technical, crystals FCC. Use: Modifier for polyester, alkyd, and phenolic resins, paper-size resins; platicizers, rosin esters and adducts, alkyd resin coatings, upgrading natural drying oils (especially tall oil) to improve drying characteristics, in foods as substitute for tartaric acid, as acidulant and flavoring agent (FDA approved), mordant, organic synthisis, printing inks.