1,3-Acetonedicarboxylic Acid as a Simple Stimulus for Reversible Time-Controlled pH Modulation

Abstract

Implementation of new activated carboxylic acids is crucial to switch reversibly chemical systems over time in a safer manner. By applying cheap 1,3-acetonedicarboxylic acid, the pH of aqueous solutions can be decreased before autonomously evolving over time back again to a higher value upon diacid decarboxylation. This decarboxylation can be catalysed by different species such as simple amines or simple metals such as iron and copper salts. This process generates 2 molecules of CO₂ and acetone as single waste, considerably decreasing the toxicity associated with such activated acids. The potential of this weak diacid was confirmed by reversibly disrupting a strong gel upon diacid addition and opens the way to the application in complex chemically fuelled systems.