Diethyl succinate

Chemical properties

Diethyl succinate is the diethyl ester of succinate. It is a colorless liquid with a faint, pleasant odor. miscible with ethanol and ether, soluble in acetone, insoluble in water.

Occurrence

Reported found in apple, raspberry, cognac, rum, whiskey, cider, sherry, plum brandy, apple brandy, grape brandy, cherry brandy, cocoa, arrack and red, white, port, strawberry and sparkling wines.

The Uses of Diethyl succinate

Diethyl succinate can be used as solvent; food flavoring agent; organic synthesis intermediate; gas chromatography stationary solution (maximum use temperature 60°C, solvent is ether). Alkyl succinates have been used as ashless dispersants and detergent additives for lubricating oils.

The Uses of Diethyl succinate

Diethyl Succinate is a diester molecule present naturally in plant and animal tissues. Used commonly in fragrances and food flavourings.

What are the applications of Application

Diethyl succinate is a Stobbe condensation ester reagent

Preparation

Diethyl succinate is synthesized by esterification of succinic acid and ethanol; by direct esterification of the acid in the presence of concentrated H2SO4 in benzene solution.

Definition

ChEBI: Diethyl succinate is a fatty acid ester.

Aroma threshold values

Aroma characteristics at 1.0%: fruity, waxy, floral and slightly musty.

Taste threshold values

Taste charReported found in apple, raspberry, cognac, rum, whiskey, cider, sherry, plum brandy, apple brandy, grape brandy, cherry brandy, cocoa, arrack and red, white, port, strawberry and sparkling wines. acteristics at 10 to 100 ppm: chemical earthy, fruity with a pulpy mouthfeel

Synthesis Reference(s)

The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 56, p. 6720, 1991 DOI: 10.1021/jo00023a047
Tetrahedron Letters, 28, p. 2393, 1987 DOI: 10.1016/S0040-4039(00)96133-1

General Description

Diethyl succinate(DES) is a diethyl ester with succinate molecules. It has two ester groups and is majorly used in fragrances. It produced by the esterification of succinic acid with ethanol.

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Biochem/physiol Actions

Taste at 10-100 ppm

Safety Profile

Mildly toxic by ingestion. A skin and eye irritant. Combustible liquid. Reaction with ethyl trifluoroacetate + sodium hydride may cause a fire or explosion. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes. See also ESTERS.

Purification Methods

Dry the succinate with MgSO4, and distil it at 15mm pressure. [Beilstein 2 IV 1914.]