Succinic acid
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Description
Colorless, odorless crystals that occur naturally in amber. Succinic acid was first separated from the distillate of amber in 1546 by Agricola. Commercially, succinic acid is used as a sequestrant and buffer. It is also used in the manufacture of dyes, lacquers, and photographic solutions.
Synonyms and Related Terms
butanedioic acid; acid of amber; amber acid; ethylenesuccinic acid; BernsteinsSure (Deut.)
Other Properties
Soluble in ethanol, ether. Slightly soluble in water: pH =2.7 (0.1 M solution)
Insoluble in benzene, carbon disulfide, carbon tetrachloride, ligroin.
| Composition | CO2H(CH2)2CO2H |
|---|---|
| CAS | 110-15-6 |
| Melting Point | 185-1.87 |
| Density | 1.55-1.56 |
| Molecular Weight | mol. wt. = 118.1 |
| Boiling Point | 235 |
Hazards and Safety
Contact causes irritation and possible burns.
Mallinckrodt Baker: MSDS
Sources Checked for Data in Record
- G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 54
- Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
- The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983 Comment: entry 9037
- Susan E. Schur, Conservation Terminology: A review of Past & Current Nomenclature of Materials, Technology and Conservation, Spring (p.34-39); Summer (p.35-38); Fall (p.25-36), 1985