Definition

1. Noun:
   • A salt or ester of maleic acid: A chemical compound formed by the reaction of maleic acid with a base (forming a salt) or an alcohol (forming an ester).
   • A pharmaceutical compound: Specifically, certain maleate salts are used in medicine, notably as a type of antidepressant drug.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The chemist synthesized the maleate to study its properties.
  • The patient was prescribed a maleate for the treatment of depression.

Advanced Usage

• In pharmaceutical nomenclature: The term "maleate" often appears in drug names to indicate the maleic acid salt form of an active pharmaceutical ingredient, which can improve stability or solubility.
  • The active ingredient is available as a hydrochloride or a maleate.

Variants and Related Words

• Maleic acid (n): The dicarboxylic acid (HOOC-CH=CH-COOH) from which maleates are derived.
• Fumarate (n): A salt or ester of fumaric acid, an isomer of maleic acid, also commonly used in pharmaceuticals.

Synonyms

• Maleic acid salt
• Maleic acid ester

Notes on Different Meanings

• The primary meaning is chemical, referring to a specific anionic form (salt) or organic compound (ester).
• The specific medicinal use refers to drugs where the active molecule is compounded as a maleate salt, such as in certain antidepressants.

Noun

1. a salt or ester of maleic acid; used as a nontricyclic antidepressant drug for psychomotor activation