Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
June,  1891. 
Ferric  Succinate . 
273" 
and  three  molecules  of  the  neutral  or  normal  ammonium  succinate, 
and  with  the  assimilation  of  two  molecules  of  water. 
Fe2  (S04)3  +  3  (NH4)2  C4H404  +  2  H2  O  = 
i  mol.  Ferric  Sulphate.  3  mol.  Ammon.  Succin. 
3  (NH4)2  S04+Fe202H2  (C4H404)2+H2C4H404 
AmrriDnium  Sulphate.       Basic  Ferric  Succinate.  Succinic  Acid. 
Hydrated  ferric  succinate  occurs  in  the  form  of  an  amorphous 
precipitate,  containing  one  molecule  of  water  of  which  it  is  deprived 
on  drying  and  converted  in  the  basic  salt  Fe20  (C4H404)2. 
The  hydrated  salt  is  insoluble  in  a  cold  solution  of  succinic 
acid  or  ammonium  succinate,  more  soluble  in  boiling  solution,  from 
which  it  separates  slowly  on  cooling  ;  is  more  soluble  in  citric  acid 
and  very  soluble  in  ammonium  citrate,  even  at  ordinary  tempera- 
tures. A  solution  of  ferric  succinate  in  ammonium  citrate  is  quite 
permanent  and  can  be  mixed  with  succinic  acid  and  ammonia  with- 
out decomposition.  An  excess  of  ammonia  merely  deepens  the 
color.  The  solution  evaporated  at  a  temperature  not  to  exceed 
1300  F.  solidifies  on  cooling  and  standing  for  a  time  in  a  crystal- 
line mass.  By  experimental  synthesis,  working  with  exact  molecu- 
lar weights  it  was  found  that  three  molecules  of  ammonium  citrate 
were  required  to  dissolve  one  molecule  of  the  precipitated  ferric  suc- 
cinate, and  from  these  data  the  following  composition  of  the  double 
salt  of  ferric  succinate  and  ammonium  citrate  has  been  deduced 
Fe20  (C4H404)2.  3  (NH4)2  C6H507 
and  from  this  molecular  formula  a  working  formula  for  its  prepara- 
tion has  been  calculated. 
Liquor  Ferri  et  Ammonii  Succmatis. — Dissolve  50  grains  of  suc- 
cinic acid  in  3  fluid  ounces  of  water,  neutralize  nearly  with 
ammonia  and  dilute  to  6  fluid  ounces.  Transfer  the  solution  to  an 
8-ounce  bottle,  add  halt  a  fluid  ounce  of  the  officinal  liquor  ferri 
persulphatis  and  agitate  well.  Transfer  the  mixture  to  a  filter  and 
wash  the  precipitated  ferric  succinate  thoroughly  with  distilled 
water.  Next  take  89  grains  of  citric  acid,  put  it  into  a  beaker 
and  add  with  stirring  a  sufficient  quantity  of  ammonia  water 
until  the  acid  is  dissolved  and  the  solution  neutral.  Finally  trans- 
fer the  moist  ferric  succinate  to  a  porcelain  capsule,  add  the  solu- 
tion of  ammonium  citrate  and  dissolve,  assisted  by  a  gentle  heat. 
