Succinic Acid, also known as butanedioic acid and Spirit of Amber, is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid found in plant and animal tissues. Its chemical formula is C₄H₆O₄ and its CAS number is 110-15-6. Succinic acid plays a significant role in intermediary metabolism in living organisms as part of the Krebs cycle, and is widely used as a chemical intermediate, flavoring agent, and starting material for a broad range of industrial and pharmaceutical applications. It is used in the production of polymers, resins, plasticizers, surfactants, food additives, fragrances, and active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Succinic Acid is typically supplied as a white crystalline solid and is available in bulk quantities, supersacks, and bags depending on application requirements.
Succinic acid from The Chemical Company is available for shipping throughout the continental United States with 1 week lead time. Please call (401) 360-2800 for details. Standard packaging for the product is 25kg bags, 1 met ton supersacks, and in bulk. Special packaging is available upon request.
Succinic Acid (C₄H₆O₄) is a colorless crystalline solid with a melting point of 185–187°C. It is soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol, ether, acetone, and glycerine. It does not dissolve in benzene, carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, or oil ether. As a dicarboxylic acid, it contains two carboxyl groups and can yield acyl halides, anhydrides, esters, amides, and nitriles for use across drug, agriculture, food, and industrial applications.
Succinic acid occurs naturally in plant and animal tissues and plays a central role in intermediary metabolism as part of the Krebs cycle, the sequence of enzymatic reactions by which a two-carbon acetyl unit is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water to generate energy in the form of high-energy phosphate bonds.
In industrial applications, succinic acid serves as a versatile starting material for a wide range of chemical derivatives including adipic acid, 1,4-butanediol, maleic anhydride, tetrahydrofuran, N-methyl pyrrolidinone, 2-pyrrolidinone, gamma-butyrolactone, and succinate salts. Lower chain esters derived from succinic acid are used as flavoring base materials, plasticizers, solvent carriers, and coupling agents. Higher chain esters are used in metalworking fluids, surfactants, lubricants, detergents, emulsifiers, wetting agents, textile treatments, and emollients.
In the pharmaceutical industry, succinic acid is used as a starting material for active pharmaceutical ingredients, as a formulation additive, and as a cross-linker in drug-controlled release polymers. Global consumption of succinic acid has been growing at approximately 10% per year, driven by expanding demand across bio-based chemical manufacturing.
Succinic Acid is used across several industries and applications, including:
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Succinic Acid |
| CAS Number | 110-15-6 |
| Molecular Formula | C₄H₆O₄ |
| Appearance | White crystalline solid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Solubility | Soluble in water; slightly soluble in ethanol, ether, acetone, and glycerine |
| Melting Point | 185–187°C |
| Boiling Point | 235°C |
| Density | 1.56 g/cm³ |
| Stability | Stable under normal storage conditions |
Succinic Acid is available in a range of packaging formats to meet your operational needs:
Special packaging is available upon request. Contact The Chemical Company for current lead times and supply chain updates.
Succinic Acid is used as a chemical intermediate, flavoring agent, and starting material across a wide range of industries. Key applications include the production of polymers, resins, plasticizers, surfactants, food additives, fragrances, and active pharmaceutical ingredients. It is also a starting material for adipic acid, 1,4-butanediol, maleic anhydride, and tetrahydrofuran.
Yes. Succinic Acid occurs naturally in plant and animal tissues and plays a central role in the Krebs cycle, the metabolic pathway by which living cells generate energy. It was historically extracted from amber, earning it the name Spirit of Amber. Commercial succinic acid is produced synthetically through the hydrogenation of maleic anhydride or via bio-based fermentation processes.
The CAS number for Succinic Acid is 110-15-6.
Succinic Acid (butanedioic acid) is a saturated dicarboxylic acid, meaning it contains no carbon-carbon double bonds. Maleic Acid (cis-butenedioic acid) is an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid containing a double bond in the cis configuration. While both are four-carbon diacids used as chemical intermediates, they have different reactivity profiles and industrial applications.
Yes. Succinic Acid is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry as a starting material for active pharmaceutical ingredients, as a formulation additive, and as a cross-linker in drug-controlled release polymers. It is also used as a counterion in pharmaceutical salts to improve drug stability and solubility.
Succinic Acid is available in 25kg bags, 1 metric ton supersacks, and bulk quantities with a one-week lead time for shipping throughout the continental United States. Special packaging is available upon request. Contact The Chemical Company for current pricing, lead times, and supply chain updates.
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