Substance profile
Succinic anhydride
Succinic anhydride is needles from alc; rhombic pyramids from chloroform or carbon tetrachloride and is odorless.
01 · Identification
What Succinic anhydride is
Succinic anhydride is needles from alc; rhombic pyramids from chloroform or carbon tetrachloride and is odorless. Its molecular formula is C4H4O3 and its molecular weight is 100.07 g/mol. It boils at 261 °C, melts at 120 °C, is practically insoluble in water.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H318 | Causes serious eye damage. |
| H334 | May cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
Supplemental EU statements: EUH071
Precautionary statements: P260, P261, P270, P272, P280, P301, P305, P310, P312, P313, P330, P331, P333, P338
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Succinic anhydride properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 261 °C (501.8 °F) | at 760 mmHg | HSDB |
| 261.11 °C (502 °F) | at 760 mmHg | CAMEO | |
| 261 °C (501.8 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Melting point | 119.6 °C (247.3 °F) | HSDB | |
| 119.61 °C (247.3 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| Density | 1.503 g/cm³ | also given as 1.104 and 1.234 | HSDB |
| 0.7561 g/cm³ | HSDB | ||
| 1.234 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | CAMEO | |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water | HSDB | |
| Soluble in chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, alcohol; very slightly soluble in ether and water. | HSDB | ||
| IN ETHANOL AT 25 °C: 2.56 G/100 ML; IN ETHER AT 25 °C: 0.64 G/100 ML; IN CHLOROFORM AT 25 °C: 0.87 G/100 ML | at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Vapor pressure | 0.0015 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| 1 mmHg | at 92 °C | HSDB | |
| Flash point | 157 °C (314.6 °F) | ICSC | |
| Vapor density | 3.7 (air = 1) | CAMEO | |
| 3.45 (air = 1) | ICSC |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Succinic anhydride
Incompatible materials
Succinic anhydride is dimerized to 1,6-dioxaspiro[4.4]nonane-2,7dione by heating with sodium hydroxide.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
SUCCINIC ANHYDRIDE reacts exothermically with water. Reactions are usually slow, but might become violent if local heating accelerates their rate. Acids accelerate the reaction with water. Incompatible with acids, strong oxidizing agents, alcohols, amines, and bases.
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Succinic anhydride in the storage compatibility matrix →