Succinic acid

Chemical Properties and Production

Succinic acid, also known as amber acid or butanedioic acid, has the molecular formula C4H6O4. It was first purified from amber by Georgius Agricola in 1546 and has historically been produced through microbial fermentation. However, most commercially available succinic acid is currently produced via chemical processes using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or petroleum oil, predominantly from n-butane through maleic anhydride.

Industrial Uses

Succinic acid is utilized as a precursor for many industrially important chemicals including adipic acid, 1,4-butanediol, tetrahydrofuran, N-methyl pyrrolidinone, succinate salts, and gamma-butyrolactone. Its demand is increasing as it finds applications in the synthesis of biodegradable polymers like polybutyrate succinate (PBS), polyamides (Nylon庐x,4), and green solvents.

Historical and Traditional Applications

Traditionally, succinic acid has been used in various industries for applications such as food additives, detergents, cosmetics, pigments, toners, cement additives, soldering fluxes, and pharmaceutical intermediates. Its market size has expanded due to the potential of converting it into a range of industrial chemicals.

Biological Production and Microbial Strains

Succinic acid is naturally produced by various microorganisms, serving as a metabolic co-product of ethanol fermentation. Anaerobiospirillum succiniciproducens is one of the microorganisms with commercial potential for succinic acid production. The development of microbial strains capable of accumulating succinic acid at high concentrations has been crucial for economically feasible recovery.

Importance and Market Value

Succinic acid is identified as a top value-added chemical derived from biomass via fermentation by the US Department of Energy. It serves as a crucial platform molecule used in various industries such as agriculture, food, and pharmaceuticals, with a total immediate addressable market exceeding $7.2 billion.

General Description

Succinic acid, also known as butanedioic acid, is a dicarboxylic acid with the chemical formula C4H6O4. It is a colorless crystalline solid that is soluble in water and polar organic solvents. Succinic acid is produced naturally in the body as an intermediate in the citric acid cycle and is also found in some plant and animal tissues. It is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries as a flavoring agent, pH control agent, and precursor to various chemicals and polymers. Succinic acid is also being researched as a potential renewable platform chemical for the production of bio-based materials and fuels.