Succinic Acid Overview

TCC's Succinic Acid is a dicarboxylic acid comprised of four carbon atoms.

This four carbon dicarboxylic acid has uses in a number of industries including polymers (clothing fibres), food, surfactants and detergents, flavours and fragrances and as a starting material for any number of chemicals including adipic acid, N-methyl pyrrolidinone, 2-pyrrolidinone, succinate salts, 1,4-butanediol, maleic anhydride, tetrahydrofuran and gamma-butyrolactone, which are used in the pharmaceutical industry. Succinic Acid has many uses in the pharma industry - too many to mention, but some examples are as a starting material for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), as an additive in formulation, Succinic Acid monoethyl ester has been used as an insulinotropic agent, and the compound has also been used as a cross linker in drug control release polymers.

The estimated 2010 worldwide use of Succinic Acid is around 20,000 to 30,000 tonnes per year and this is on the increase by around 10 per cent a year. It occurs naturally in plant and animal tissues. The chemical plays a significant role in intermediary metabolism (Krebs cycle) in the body. The Krebs cycle (also known as citric acid cycle) is a sequence process of enzymatic reaction in which a two-carbon acetyl unit is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water to provide energy in the form of high-energy phosphate bonds.

Succinic Acid is a colorless crystalline solid with a melting point of 185-187° C. It is soluble in water, slightly dissolves in ethanol, ether, acetone and glycerine. It does not dissolve in benzene, carbon sulfide, carbon tetrachloride or oil ether.

Carboxylic acids can yield acyl halides, anhydrides, esters, amides, and nitriles for applications in the drug, agriculture, food products, and other industries.

About Succinic Acid

Succinic Acid (butanedioic acid) is a dicarboxylic acid that occurs naturally in plant and animal tissues. The chemical is also known as “Spirit of Amber.” When it was first discovered, it was extracted from amber by pulverizing and distilling it using a sand bath. It was primarily used externally for rheumatic aches and pains.

Almost infinite esters can be obtained from carboxylic acids. Esters are produced by combining an acid with an alcohol and removal of a water molecule. Carboxylic acid esters are used in a variety of direct and indirect applications.

Lower chain esters are used as flavoring base materials, plasticizers, solvent carriers and coupling agents. Higher chain compounds are used as components in metalworking fluids, surfactants, lubricants, detergents, oiling agents, emulsifiers, wetting agents, textile treatments and emollients.

Esters are also used as intermediates for the manufacture of a variety of target compounds. The almost infinite esters provide a wide range of viscosity, specific gravity, vapor pressure, boiling point, and other physical and chemical properties for the proper application selections.

Applications using Succinic Acid

TCC's Succinic Acid is used as a flavoring agent for food and beverages. Producing five heterocyclic compounds, it is used as an intermediate for dyes, perfumes, lacquers, photographic chemicals, alkyd resins, plasticizers, metal treatment chemical, as well as coatings. It is also used in the manufacture of medicines for sedatives, antispasmers, antiplegm, antiphogistic, anrhoers, contraceptives, and cancer-curing.

Product Specification - Succinic Acid

Product	Succinic Acid
CAS No.	110.15.6
Chemical Formula	C4H6O4

Tests	Results	Specification
Appearance	White, crystalline powder	White, crystalline powder
Odor	Odorless	Pract. Odorless
Melting point	188°C	186-188°C
Appearance of solution (1g in 10mL H2O @ 53°C) Clarity Color	Clear Colorless	Clear Colorless
Iron	< 5 ppm	5 ppm max
Ammonium	< 10 ppm	10 ppm max
Fumaric and maleic acid in sum	< 0.2%	0.2% max
Water (K.F.)	0.2%	1.0% max
By products Sum of by products Individual by products	Conforming Conforming	0.5% in sum max 0.1% each max.
Assay (acidimetry)	100.0%	99.5 – 100.5% (calc. on the anhydrous scale)

Material Safety Data Sheet

1. Supplier and Substance Identification

Product Name	Succinic Acid
CAS#	110-15-6
RTECS	WM4900000
TSCA	TSCA 8(b) inventory: Succinic Acid
CI#	Not available.
Synonym	Butanedioic acid
Chemical Formula	(CH2COOH)2
Contact Information:	The Chemical Company 19 Narragansett Avenue Jamestown, RI 02835 USA Phone : 401.423.3100 Fax : 401.423.3102 Email : info@thechemco.com Web : www.thechemco.com

2.Composition /Information on ingredients

Composition:
Name	CAS #	% by Weight
Succinic Acid	110-15-6	100

Toxicological Data on Ingredients: Succinic Acid: ORAL (LD50): Acute: 2260 mg/kg [Rat].

3.Hazard Identification

Potential Acute Health Effects: Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation.

Potential Chronic Health Effects:
CARCINOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available.
MUTAGENIC EFFECTS: Not available.
TERATOGENIC EFFECTS: Not available.
DEVELOPMENTAL TOXICITY: Not available.
Repeated or prolonged exposure is not known to aggravate medical condition.

4.First Aid Measures

Eye Contact:
Check for and remove any contact lenses. Immediately flush eyes with running water for at least 15 minutes, keeping eyelids open. Cold water may be used. Do not use an eye ointment. Seek medical attention.

Skin Contact:
After contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of water. Gently and thoroughly wash the contaminated skin with running water and non-abrasive soap. Be particularly careful to clean folds, crevices, creases and groin. Cold water may be used. Cover the irritated skin with an emollient. If irritation persists, seek medical attention. Wash contaminated clothing before reusing.

Serious Skin Contact:
Wash with a disinfectant soap and cover the contaminated skin with an anti-bacterial cream. Seek medical attention.

Inhalation:
Allow the victim to rest in a well ventilated area. Seek immediate medical attention.

Serious Inhalation:
Not available.

Ingestion:
Do not induce vomiting. Loosen tight clothing such as a collar, tie, belt or waistband. If the victim is not breathing, perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Seek immediate medical attention.

Serious Ingestion:
Not available.

5.Fire Fighting Measures

Flammability of the Product
May be combustible at high temperature.

Auto-Ignition Temperature
Not available.

Flash Points
OPEN CUP: 160°C (320°F).

Flammable Limits
Not available.

Products of Combustion
These products are carbon oxides (CO, CO2).

Fire Hazards in Presence of Various Substances
Not available.

Explosion Hazards in Presence of Various Substances

Risks of explosion of the product in presence of mechanical impact
Not available.

Risks of explosion of the product in presence of static discharge
Not available.

Fire Fighting Media and Instructions:

SMALL FIRE
Use DRY chemical powder.

LARGE FIRE
Use water spray, fog or foam. Do not use water jet.

Special Remarks on Fire Hazards
Not available.

Special Remarks on Explosion Hazards
Not available.

6.Accidental Release Measures

Small SpillUse appropriate tools to put the spilled solid in a convenient waste disposal container. Finish cleaning by spreading water on the contaminated surface and dispose of according to local and regional authority requirements.

Large Spill
Use a shovel to put the material into a convenient waste disposal container. Finish cleaning by spreading water on the contaminated surface and allow to evacuate through the sanitary system.

7.Handling and Storage

Precautions
Keep away from heat. Keep away from sources of ignition. Empty containers pose a fire risk, evaporate the residue under a fume hood. Ground all equipment containing material. Do not ingest. Do not breathe dust.

Wear suitable protective clothing In case of insufficient ventilation, wear suitable respiratory equipment If ingested, seek medical advice immediately and show the container or the label. Avoid contact with skin and eyes

Storage
Keep container dry. Keep in a cool place. Ground all equipment containing material. Keep container tightly closed. Keep in a cool, well-ventilated place. Combustible materials should be stored away from extreme heat and away from strong oxidizing agents.

8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection

Engineering Controls
Use process enclosures, local exhaust ventilation, or other engineering controls to keep airborne levels below recommended exposure limits. If user operations generate dust, fume or mist, use ventilation to keep exposure to airborne contaminants below the exposure limit.

Personal Protection
Splash goggles. Lab coat. Dust respirator. Be sure to use an approved/certified respirator or equivalent. Gloves.

Personal Protection in Case of a Large Spill
Splash goggles. Full suit. Dust respirator. Boots. Gloves. A self contained breathing apparatus should be used to avoid inhalation of the product. Suggested protective clothing might not be sufficient; consult a specialist BEFORE handling this product.

Exposure Limits
Not available.

9.Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical state and appearance	Solid.
Odor	Not available.
Taste	Not available.
Molecular Weight	118.09 g/mole
Color	Not available.
pH (1% soln/water)	Not available.
Boiling Point	Decomposes. (235°C or 455°F)
Melting Point	188°C (370.4°F)
Critical Temperature	Not available.
Specific Gravity	1.56 (Water = 1)
Vapor Pressure	Not applicable.
Vapor Density	Not available.
Volatility	Not available.
Odor Threshold	Not available.
Water/Oil Dist. Coeff.	Not available.
Ionicity (in Water)	Not available.
Dispersion Properties	See solubility in water.
Solubility	Partially soluble in cold water.

10.Stability and Reactivity

Stability	The product is stable.
Instability Temperature	Not available.
Conditions of Instability	Not available.
Incompatibility with various substances	Not available.
Corrosivity	Non-corrosive in presence of glass.
Special Remarks on Reactivity	Not available.
Special Remarks on Corrosivity	Not available.
Polymerization	No.

11. Toxicological Information

Routes of Entry	Eye contact. Inhalation. Ingestion.
Toxicity to Animals	Acute oral toxicity (LD50)	2260 mg/kg [Rat].
Chronic Effects on Humans	Not available.
Other Toxic Effects on Humans	Hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of ingestion, of inhalation.
Special Remarks on Toxicity to Animals	Not available.
Special Remarks on Chronic Effects on Humans	Not available.
Special Remarks on other Toxic Effects on Humans	Not available.

12. Ecological Information

Ecotoxicity	Not available.
BOD5 and COD	Not available.
Products of Biodegradation	Possibly hazardous short term degradation products are not likely. However, long term degradation products may arise.
Toxicity of the Products of Biodegradation	The products of degradation are more toxic.
Special Remarks on the Products of Biodegradation	Not available.

13. Disposal Consideration

Waste Disposal:

14. Transport Information

DOT Classification	Not a DOT controlled material (United States).
Identification	Not applicable.
Special Provisions for Transport	Not applicable.

15. Regulatory Information

Federal and State Regulations	TSCA 8(b) inventory: Succinic Acid
Other Regulations	Not available..
Other Classifications:
WHMIS (Canada)	Not controlled under WHMIS (Canada).
DSCL (EEC)	R36/38- Irritating to eyes and skin.
HMIS (U.S.A.):
Health Hazard	2
Fire Hazard	1
Reactivity	0
Personal Protection	E
National Fire Protection Association (U.S.A.):
Health	2
Flammability	1
Reactivity	0
Specific hazard
Protective Equipment	Gloves. Lab coat. Dust respirator. Be sure to use an approved/certified respirator or equivalent. Splash goggles.

16. Other Information

Shipping & Ordering Information

TCC's Succinic Acid is available for shipping throughout the continental United States with 1 week lead time. Please call (401) 423-3100 for details. Standard packaging for the product s 25kg bags, 1 met ton supersacks, and in bulk.  Special packaging is available upon request. 

Contact
The Chemical Company
19 Narragansett Ave.
Post Office Box 436
Jamestown, RI 02835-0436

Telephone: (401) 423-3100
          FAX: (401) 423-3102

Robert N. Roach III "Robb"
President
Cell: (401) 864-3111
Email: robb@thechemco.com