It is prepared from citric acid, which is first converted to itaconic anhydride by dehydration and decarboxylation.

[2] This acid was studied for the first time by Jacobus H. van 't Hoff in 1874.

[3] It was later shown to be produced by Clostridium tetanomorphum.

Further studies showed that this organic compound is involved in the biosynthesis of vitamin B12.

[4][5] The compound has been considered as a renewable precursor to the commodity chemical methacrylic acid.