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Reference.org
Phthalic anhydride
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<p>Phthalic anhydride is the <a href="/facts/Organic_compound/gqCNaN45">organic compound</a> with the <a href="/facts/Chemical_formula/hghUtthl">formula</a> C6H4(CO)2O. It is the <a href="/facts/Anhydride/9YnWCsJo">anhydride</a> of <a href="/facts/Phthalic_acid/bh1keeDw">phthalic acid</a>. Phthalic anhydride is a principal commercial form of phthalic acid. It was the first anhydride of a dicarboxylic acid to be used commercially. This white solid is an important industrial chemical, especially for the large-scale production of <a href="/facts/Plasticizer/RjzuplRY">plasticizers</a> for plastics. In 2000, the worldwide production volume was estimated to be about 3 million tonnes per year. </p>