Question

When succinic acid is heated, product formed is:
A. Succinic anhydride
B. Acetic acid
C. CO₂ and methane
D. Propionic acid

Answer 1

Hint: Succinic acid is a carboxylic acid comprising two carboxylic acids. It is depicted by the chemical formula of \[{{\rm{C}}_{\rm{4}}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{6}}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{4}}}\] . Its production is done from liquefied petroleum gas. Also, the production of succinic is done from different microbes as petroleum gas is very expensive.

Complete step by step answer:
The structure of succinic acid is,

Image: Succinic acid
The above structure clearly shows that the structure is of cis form and there is the existence of a dipole moment.
Let's understand the product gives on heating of succinic acid. The heating of succinic anhydride gives the product of succinic anhydride. And in this process, the loss of a water molecule takes place. The chemical reaction is as follows:

  Image: Heating of succinic anhydride

Additional Information:
Succinic acid belongs to the group of carboxylic acids. It is one of the common organic acids. It is useful in industries such as chemical, food, and pharmaceutical for the production of many substances such as perfumes, plasticizers, solvents, and photographic chemicals. It is also helpful in the form of antibiotics. It possesses the property of softening skin and bacteria-inhibiting properties.

Note: To prepare succinic acid, the method that is most commonly used is the catalytic hydrogenation of maleic acid or its anhydride. There are some other methods which are also used for the same. Succinic acid occurs in nature in the form of crystalline solids of no colour. It is soluble in water.