SUBERIC ACID, SUCCINIC ACID. 9G3 



succinic acid and an oily substance soluble in nitric acid. 

 (Bromeis.) 



Suberic acid, HO + C S H 6 O 3 . Brugnatelli first obtained this 

 acid by the action of nitric acid upon cork (page 759). It is 

 prepared by evaporating the solution of stearic or margaric acid 

 in nitric acid to one half and allowing it to rest ; the solution 

 in 24 hours becomes a semi-solid mass, which is thrown into a 

 funnel to drain, and washed with cold water. When expressed 

 and crystallized several times it forms pure suberic acid. 

 Suberic acid when humid fuses between 122 and 129.2 (50 to 

 54 centig.), but when dried in air or in vacuo, between 244.4 

 and 248 (1 18 to 120 centig.) ; it is distilled without alteration. 

 Suberic acid is sparingly soluble in cold water, but dissolves 

 in 1.87 parts of boiling water, in 0.87 of boiling alcohol, also in 

 10 parts of cold and 6 parts of boiling ether. Suberate of lime 

 distilled with an excess of quick-lime gives among other pro- 

 ducts a colourless liquid, which boils at 374, and remains 

 liquid at 10.4 ( 12 centig.), of which the composition is 

 expressed by C 8 H 7 O. 



Succinic acid, HO + C 4 H 2 O 5 ; and when sublimed HO 

 4-2C 4 H 2 O 3 . This acid has long been derived from the distil- 

 lation of amber (page 904) and exists according to several 

 observers in the resin of some Conifers. The mother liquor 

 which remains after the separation of suberic acid in the process 

 described above, contains succinic acid soiled with suberic acid. 

 The solution with the washings of the suberic acid is evaporated 

 to crystallization, the product dried and treated with ether in 

 the cold, which easily dissolves suberic acid while it leaves the 

 succinic acid behind in a great measure. The latter may be 

 purified completely by sublimation. 



The crystals of succinic acid are colourless and inodorous, 

 of density 1.50, have a somewhat acrid taste, and sublime with- 

 out decomposition. This acid may be obtained quite anhydrous 

 by several distillations, and then condenses as drops in the 

 receiver. The hydrated acid dissolves in 2 parts of boiling and 

 5 parts of cold water ; it is equally soluble in alcohol and ether. 

 Hydrated succinic acid sublimes at 284 ; fuses at 356 losing 

 one half of its water, and boils at 455. This acid is not sen- 

 sibly affected by chlorine or nitric acid ; added to potash in 

 fusion it gives oxalic acid. Hydrated succinic acid absorbs the 



2 u ii 2 



