It was firstly produced by nitric acid oxidation of cork (Latin suber) material and then from castor oil. The oxidation of ricinoleic acid produces, by splitting at the level of the double bond and at the level of the OH group, at the same time, suberic acid (octanedioic acid) and the next homologue azelaic acid. Suberic acid was used in the manufacture of alkyd resins and in the synthesis of polyamides leading to nylon.
off-white crystalline powder
In the plastics industry.
Suberic Acid is used in the preparation of reduction-sensitive micelles affecting their cellular uptake. This has potential application in delivery of anticancer drugs. It is also used in the fluorescent detection of amidinium-carboxylate and amidinium formation.
ChEBI: An alpha,omega-dicarboxylic acid that is the 1,6-dicarboxy derivative of hexane.
Crystallise it from acetone. It sublimes at 300o without decomposition. [Beilstein 2 IV 2028.]
