Diethyl succinate explained

Diethyl succinate is the diethyl ester of succinate.

It is a colorless liquid with the formula (CH₂CO₂Et)₂ (Et = ethyl). The organic molecule contains two ester groups. This ester is a versatile chemical intermediate. A colorless liquid, diethyl succinate is formed by Fischer esterification of succinic acid and ethanol.

Reactions

Being a diester, diethyl succinate is a particularly versatile building block. It participates in acyloin condensation to give 2-hydroxycyclobutanone.^[1] Via condensation with oxalate esters, it serves as a precursor to ketoglutaric acid.^[2] It is a reagent in the Stobbe condensation.thumb|222px|left|Diethylsuccinoylsuccinate, a useful precursor to dyes and pigments, is produced by base-induced condensation of diethyl succinate.

Notes and References

1. 10.15227/orgsyn.057.0001. Jordan J.. Bloomfield. Janice M.. Nelke . Acyloin Condensation in Which Chlorotrimethylsilane is Used as a Trapping Agent: 1,2-Bis(Trimethylsilyloxy)Cyclobutene and 2-Hydroxycyclobutanone. Organic Syntheses. 57. 1. 1977.
2. E. M.. Bottorff. L. L.. Moore. 10.15227/orgsyn.044.0067. α-Ketoglutaric Acid. Organic Syntheses. 44. 67. 1964.