All Topics  
Succinic acid

 

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Succinic acid
 
 
  Topics Succinic acid Topic Home

Succinic acid (IUPAC systematic name
Systematic name

There are millions of possible objects that can be described in science, too many to create common names for every one. As a response, a number of systems of systematic names have been created....
: butanedioic acid; historically known as spirit of amber) is a dicarboxylic acid
Dicarboxylic acid

Dicarboxylic acids are organic compounds that are substituted with two carboxylic acid functional groups. In molecular formulae for dicarboxylic acids, these groups are often written as HOOC-R-COOH, where R is usually an alkane, alkene, or alkyne group....
. Succinate plays a biochemical role in the citric acid cycle
Citric acid cycle

The citric acid cycle ? also known as the tricarboxylic acid cycle ; the Krebs cycle; or, more rarely, the Szent-Gy?rgyi-Krebs cycle) ? is a series of enzyme-catalysed chemical reactions of central importance in all living cell s that use oxygen as part of cellular respiration....
.

a class="link1" onMouseover='showByLink("m383824",this)' onMouseout='hide("m383824")'href="http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Room_temperature">room temperature
Room temperature

Room temperature is a common term to denote a certain temperature within enclosed space at which humans are accustomed.Room temperature is thus often indicated by general human comfort, with the common range of 10celsius to 23?C , though climate may acclimatize people to higher or lower temperatures....
, pure succinic acid is a solid
Solid

A solid object is in the states of matter characterized by resistance to deformation and changes of volume. In other words, it has high values both of Young's modulus and of shear modulus; this contrasts e.g....
 that forms colorless, odorless crystals. It has a melting point
Melting point

The melting point of a solid is the temperature range at which it changes states of matter from solid to liquid. At the melting point the solid and liquid phase exist in equilibrium....
 of 185 °C and a boiling point
Boiling point

The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid equals the environmental pressure surrounding the liquid....
 of 235 °C. It is a diprotic acid. The carboxylate anion is called succinate and ester
Ester

An ester is an often Aroma compound organic chemistry or partially organic compound formed by the reaction between an acid and an alcohol or aromatic alcohol with the elimination of water....
s of succinic acid are called alkyl succinates.

inate is a component of the citric acid cycle
Citric acid cycle

The citric acid cycle ? also known as the tricarboxylic acid cycle ; the Krebs cycle; or, more rarely, the Szent-Gy?rgyi-Krebs cycle) ? is a series of enzyme-catalysed chemical reactions of central importance in all living cell s that use oxygen as part of cellular respiration....
 and is capable of donating electron
Electron

The electron is a subatomic particle that carries a negative electric charge. It has elementary particle and is believed to be a point particle....
s to the electron transfer chain by the reaction:
succinate + FAD ? fumarate + FADH2.


This is catalysed by the enzyme succinate dehydrogenase (or complex II of the mitochondrial ETC).






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Succinic acid'
Start a new discussion about 'Succinic acid'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


Succinic acid (IUPAC systematic name
Systematic name

There are millions of possible objects that can be described in science, too many to create common names for every one. As a response, a number of systems of systematic names have been created....
: butanedioic acid; historically known as spirit of amber) is a dicarboxylic acid
Dicarboxylic acid

Dicarboxylic acids are organic compounds that are substituted with two carboxylic acid functional groups. In molecular formulae for dicarboxylic acids, these groups are often written as HOOC-R-COOH, where R is usually an alkane, alkene, or alkyne group....
. Succinate plays a biochemical role in the citric acid cycle
Citric acid cycle

The citric acid cycle ? also known as the tricarboxylic acid cycle ; the Krebs cycle; or, more rarely, the Szent-Gy?rgyi-Krebs cycle) ? is a series of enzyme-catalysed chemical reactions of central importance in all living cell s that use oxygen as part of cellular respiration....
.

Physical properties

At room temperature
Room temperature

Room temperature is a common term to denote a certain temperature within enclosed space at which humans are accustomed.Room temperature is thus often indicated by general human comfort, with the common range of 10celsius to 23?C , though climate may acclimatize people to higher or lower temperatures....
, pure succinic acid is a solid
Solid

A solid object is in the states of matter characterized by resistance to deformation and changes of volume. In other words, it has high values both of Young's modulus and of shear modulus; this contrasts e.g....
 that forms colorless, odorless crystals. It has a melting point
Melting point

The melting point of a solid is the temperature range at which it changes states of matter from solid to liquid. At the melting point the solid and liquid phase exist in equilibrium....
 of 185 °C and a boiling point
Boiling point

The boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which the vapor pressure of the liquid equals the environmental pressure surrounding the liquid....
 of 235 °C. It is a diprotic acid. The carboxylate anion is called succinate and ester
Ester

An ester is an often Aroma compound organic chemistry or partially organic compound formed by the reaction between an acid and an alcohol or aromatic alcohol with the elimination of water....
s of succinic acid are called alkyl succinates.

Biochemical role

Succinate is a component of the citric acid cycle
Citric acid cycle

The citric acid cycle ? also known as the tricarboxylic acid cycle ; the Krebs cycle; or, more rarely, the Szent-Gy?rgyi-Krebs cycle) ? is a series of enzyme-catalysed chemical reactions of central importance in all living cell s that use oxygen as part of cellular respiration....
 and is capable of donating electron
Electron

The electron is a subatomic particle that carries a negative electric charge. It has elementary particle and is believed to be a point particle....
s to the electron transfer chain by the reaction:
succinate + FAD ? fumarate + FADH2.


This is catalysed by the enzyme succinate dehydrogenase (or complex II of the mitochondrial ETC). The complex is a 4 subunit membrane-bound lipoprotein which couples the oxidation of succinate to the reduction of ubiquinone. Intermediate electron carriers are FAD and three Fe2S2 clusters part of subunit B.

History

Spirit of amber was procured from amber
Amber

Amber is fossil tree resin, which is appreciated for its color and beauty. Good quality amber is used for the manufacture of ornamental objects and jewelry....
 by pulverising and distilling it using a sand bath
Sand bath

A sand bath is a common piece of laboratory equipment made from a container filled with heated sand. It is used to provide even heating for another container, most often during a chemical reaction....
. It was chiefly used externally for rheumatic aches and pains, and internally in inveterate gleets.

Safety

The acid is combustible
Combustion

Combustion or burning is a complex sequence of exothermic chemical reactions between a fuel and an oxidant accompanied by the production of heat or both heat and light in the form of either a glow or flames, appearance of light flickering....
 and corrosive
Corrosive

A corrosive substance is one that will destroy or irreversibly damage another substance with which it comes in contact. The main hazards to people include damage to eyes, skin and tissue under the skin, but inhalation or ingestion of a corrosive substance can damage the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts....
, capable of causing burns. "Harmful by inhalation, ingestion and through skin absorption. Wash after handling. Eye contact may cause serious damage."

In nutraceutical
Nutraceutical

Nutraceutical, a portmanteau of nutrition and pharmaceutical, refers to extracts of foods claimed to have a medicinal effect on human health. The nutraceutical is usually contained in a medicinal format such as a capsule , tablet or powder in a prescribed dose....
 form as a food additive
Food additive

Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavour or improve its taste and appearance.Some additives have been used for centuries; for example, preserving food by pickling , edible salting, as with bacon, preserving sweets or using sulfur dioxide as in some wines....
 and dietary supplement
Dietary supplement

A dietary supplement, also known as food supplement or nutritional supplement, is a preparation intended to provide nutrients, such as vitamins, Dietary minerals, fatty acids or amino acids, that are missing or are not consumed in sufficient quantity in a person's diet ....
, is safe and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As an excipient
Excipient

An excipient is an inactive substance used as a carrier for the active ingredients of a medication. In many cases, an "active" substance may not be easily administered and absorbed by the human body; in such cases the substance in question may be dissolved into or mixed with an excipient....
 in pharamceutical products it is used to control acidity and, more rarely, in effervescent tablets.

Reactions

Succinic acid can be converted to fumaric acid
Fumaric acid

Fumaric acid is the chemical compound with the formula HO2CCH=CHCO2H. This white crystalline compound is one of two isomeric unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, the other being maleic acid wherein the carboxylic acid groups are cis....
 by oxidation. The diethyl ester is a substrate in the Stobbe condensation.

Fermentation

Succinic acid is created as a byproduct of the fermentation of sugar. It lends to fermented beverages such as wine and beer a common taste that is a combination of saltiness, bitterness and acidity.

See also

  • Oil of amber
    Oil of amber

    Oil of amber is a fine, transparent, ponderous, yellow oil, procured from succinic acid by increasing the heating temperature. This, by Rectification , was once used as an hysteria and emmenagogue, being very fluid and penetrative....
    , procured by heating succinic acid


External links