Succinic anhydride

Hydrolysis

Link to relevant study record(s)

Reference

Reference 1

Endpoint:

hydrolysis

Data waiving:

study scientifically not necessary / other information available

Justification for data waiving:

the study does not need to be conducted because the substance is readily biodegradable

Reference 2

Endpoint:

hydrolysis

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Reliability:

4 (not assignable)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

secondary literature

GLP compliance:

not specified

Temp.:

25 °C

DT50:

ca. 4.3 min

Conclusions:

If released into water, succinic anhydride will rapidly hydrolyze; the half-life of succinic anhydride in water is 4.3 minutes at 25°C.

Executive summary:

If released into water, succinic anhydride will rapidly hydrolyze; the half-life of succinic anhydride in water is 4.3 minutes at 25°C.

Reference 3

Endpoint:

hydrolysis

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

supporting study

Study period:

21 April 2010 - 27 August 2010

Reliability:

2 (reliable with restrictions)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

study well documented, meets generally accepted scientific principles, acceptable for assessment

Qualifier:

no guideline followed

Principles of method if other than guideline:

Stability information was investigated during a method validation study (CLE (PC) 8225318 01V)

GLP compliance:

yes

Specific details on test material used for the study:

SOURCE OF TEST MATERIAL
- Source and lot/batch number of test material: DSM Fine chemicals; No.LEBAA5A3077
- Expiration date of the lot/batch: 23 Sept 2010
- Purity: ca. 99.1%
- Purity test date: 24-08-2010

STABILITY AND STORAGE CONDITIONS OF TEST MATERIAL
- Storage condition of test material: room temperature
- Stability under storage conditions: stable
- Stability under test conditions: stable
- Solubility and stability of the test substance in the solvent/dispersant/vehicle/test medium:
stable

Succinic anhydride (2.02003 g) was dissolved in acetone (20 mL) to yield a 1 M solution. Water (10 mL) was spiked with succinic anhydride (100 μL of 1 M solution in acetone) to yield a 0.01 M solution.

Radiolabelling:

no

Analytical monitoring:

yes

Details on sampling:

Succinic anhydride (2.02003 g) was dissolved in acetone (20 mL) to yield a 1 M solution. Water (10 mL) was spiked with succinic anhydride (100 µL of 1 M solution in acetone) to yield a 0.01 M solution. Samples of this solution (1 mL aliquots) were then withdrawn immediately, one minute after preparation and five minutes after preparation. Once taken the samples were diluted immediately with methanol and sodium sulphate added to remove the residual water.

Transformation products:

yes

No.:

#1

DT50:

ca. 5 min

The samples prepared by spiking into water show evidence of the formation of the acid with time. The sample analysed immediately after preparation exhibits a small shoulder at the front of the peak (corresponding to ca 6 % succinic acid by peak area), which increased in size for the sample analysed after one minute, corresponding to approximately 13 % of succinic acid. The sample analysed after five minutes exhibited a clear splitting of the peak into the acid and the anhydride, with approximately 58 % anhydride and 42 % acid. It can therefore be postulated that the half life of this reaction is in the region of five minutes (assuming similar responses to both compounds, which is considered a reasonable assumption based on the structural simularities of succinic anhydride and succinic acid).

Validity criteria fulfilled:

not applicable

Conclusions:

Succinic anhydride is rapidly hydrolysed to succinic acid.

Executive summary:

Stability of succinic anhydride was investigated in aqueous solution. The study was conducted under GLP but no guideline was followed. Succinic anhydride is rapidly hydrolysed to succinic acid. The half-life of succinic anhydride in water is approximately 5 minutes. The study is considered reliable to conclude on the hydrolytic behaviour of succinic anhydride.

Description of key information

In accordance with REACH Annex VIII column 2, the study does not need to be conducted as the substance is readily biodegradable. However, information on the hydrolysis behaviour of succinic anhydride is available from a study on stability in aqueous solution (Leslie and Moseley, 2010) and secondary literature (SCR, 2006). In the stability study, succinic anhydride and the hydrolysis product were quantified and found to be present in equal amounts after approximately 5 minutes (quantification via peak area). In the literature source the half-life of succinic anhydride in water at 25°C is reported to be 4.3 minutes. In conclusion, it is justified to assume a half life of approximately 5 minutes in aqueous solution for succinic anhydride.

Key value for chemical safety assessment

Half-life for hydrolysis:

4.3 min

at the temperature of:

25 °C