Succinic Acid | 110-15-6

Succinic acid (/səkˈsɪnɨk/; IUPAC systematic name: butanedioic acid; historically known as spirit of amber) is a diprotic, dicarboxylic acid with chemical formula C4H6O4 and structural formula HOOC-(CH2)2-COOH. It is awhite, odorless solid. Succinate plays a role in the citric acid cycle, anenergy-yielding process. The name derives from Latin succinum, meaning amber,from which the acid may be obtained.Succinic acid is a precursor to some specialized polyesters. It is alsoa component of some alkyd resins.

Succinic acid issused in the food and beverage industry, primarily as an acidity regulator. Global production is estimated at 16,000 to 30,000 tonnes a year, with an annual growth rate of 10%. The growth can be attributed to advances in industrial biotechnology that seek to displace petroleum-based chemicals in industrial applications. Companies such as BioAmber, Reverdia, Myriant, BASF and Purac are progressing from demonstration scale production of bio-based succinic acid to viable commercialization.

It is also sold as a food additive and dietary supplement, and is generally recognized as safe for those uses by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As an excipient inpharmaceutical products it is used to control acidity and, more rarely, ineffervescent tablets.