Pharmaceutical Intermediates

Succinic acid is a dicarboxylic acid with the chemical formula (CH₂)₂(CO₂H)₂.The name derives from Latin succinum, meaning amber. In living organisms, succinic acid takes the form of an anion, succinate, which has multiple biological roles both as a metabolic intermediate and as a signaling molecule reflecting the cellular metabolic state. Succinate is generated in mitochondria via the tricarboxylic acid cycle (), an ancient energy-yielding process shared by all organisms.Succinate can exit the mitochondrial matrix and function in the cytoplasm as well as the extracellular space, changing gene expression patterns, modulating epigeneticlandscape or demonstrating hormone-like signaling.As such, succinate links cellular metabolism to the regulation of cellular function. Dysregulation of succinate synthesis and degradation can lead to pathological conditions, such as malignant transformation, inflammation and tissue injury.

Succinic acid is a white, odorless solid with a highly acidic taste.In an aqueous solution, succinic acid readily ionizes to form its conjugate base, succinate. As a diprotic acid, succinic acid undergoes two successive deprotonation reactions:

(CH₂)₂(CO₂H)₂ → (CH₂)₂(CO₂H)(CO₂)⁻ + H⁺(CH₂)₂(CO₂H)(CO₂)⁻ → (CH₂)₂(CO₂)₂²⁻ + H⁺