What is "citraconic acid"

Citraconic \Cit`ra*con"ic\, a. [Citric + aconitic.] Pertaining to, derived from, or having certain characteristics of, citric and aconitic acids.

Citraconic acid (Chem.), a white, crystalline, deliquescent substance, C3H4(CO2H)2, obtained by distillation of citric acid. It is a compound of the ethylene series.

n. (context organic compound English) one of the isomeric dicarboxylic acids produced by the distillation of citric acid, or as metabolites by microorganisms, cis-CH₃-C(CO₂H)=CHCO₂H; the trans-isomer is mesaconic acid

Citraconic acid is one of the pyrocitric acids formed upon the heating of citric acid. It is the cis- isomer of mesaconic acid.