Succinic Acid

Succinic Acid is a compound which possesses the formula C₄H₃O₄, and may be chemically named ethylene dicarboxylic acid. It occurs naturally in a number of sources, as in amber and other resins, in varions plants, and, in small quantities, in animal organisms. It is also a product of various kinds of fermentation - e.g. in small quantities in the ordinary alcoholic fermentation of sugars. Synthetically it may be obtained by very many reactions which together with its chemical properties, prove its constitution to be that represented by (CH₂C0₂H)₂. It is soluble in water, almost insoluble in alcobol, and easily soluble in ether. It forms crystals belonging to the monoclinic system, which melt at 180° but decompose if heated much higher. If added to solutions of ferric salts, it causes a precipitate of ferric succinate, and this reaction is made use of in the separation of iron from manganese salts. It forms a large number of important organic derivatives, amongst these being the compound asparagine, which occurs in asparagus, beans, peas, beetroot, and other plants. An acid known as iso-succinic acid possesses the same composition as succinic acid, the difference being due to a difference of constitution. It may be distinguished by its more ready solubility in water and lower melting-point (130°).