a. Chem. [Short. f. ACONITIC.]
1. In Aconic Acid: A non-saturated monobasic acid of formula C5H4O4.
1877. Fownes, Man. Chem., II. 355. By boiling with baryta-water, aconic acid is resolved into formic and succinic acids.
2. In comb. a group of isomeric non-saturated bibasic acids of formula C5H6O4=C2H4. 2(CO2H), derived from aconitic acid by the loss of carbon dioxide in distillation. They are distinguished as citraconic, itaconic, mesaconic, and paraconic.
1877. Fownes, Man. Chem., II. 353. Citraconic and itaconic acids are produced by the action of heat on citric acid.
