SYNTHESIS OF 1,2,3,4-BUTANETETRACARBOXYLIC ACID FROM THE IRRADIATION OF AQUEOUS SUCCINIC ACID

This paper deals with the action of ionizing radiation on diluted aque ous solutions of succinic acid in order to synthesize 1,2,3,4-butanete tracarboxylic acid. This compound has a variety of industrial and agri cultural applications. The chemical synthesis of this compound involve s several steps. In contrast the radiation-induced synthesis can be ac hieved in one step and with a good yield. The results obtained show th at one of the most important reactions was the dimerization of the tar get compound yielding the tetracarboxylic acid.