The word "oxalosuccinic acid" can be a tongue-twister for many due to its length and complexity. But its spelling can be easily understood through the use of IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "ox-" is pronounced as "ɒks", followed by "alo" which sounds like "æləʊ". The next two syllables, "suc-" and "-cinic" are pronounced as "sʌk" and "-sɪnɪk" respectively. The final syllable "acid" is pronounced as "æsɪd". So, the complete pronunciation of this word is "ɒksələʊsʌksɪnɪk æsɪd".
Oxalosuccinic acid is a dicarboxylic acid compound with the molecular formula C6H6O8. Also known as oxalomalate or 2-oxosuccinic acid, it is derived from both oxalic acid and succinic acid. Oxalosuccinic acid is a white crystalline solid that is soluble in water and has a citrus-like acidic taste.
In biological systems, oxalosuccinic acid plays a crucial role in the citric acid cycle, also known as the Krebs cycle or TCA cycle. This cycle is a key metabolic pathway involved in the generation of energy through the oxidation of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Oxalosuccinic acid acts as an intermediate molecule in this cycle, aiding in the conversion of citric acid to isocitric acid.
Additionally, oxalosuccinic acid has found applications in various chemical and industrial processes. It can be used as a precursor or intermediate in the production of other organic compounds, such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and polymers. Its acidity also makes it a potential candidate for various chemical reactions and catalytic processes.
Due to its biological and chemical significance, the accurate identification and quantification of oxalosuccinic acid are of great importance in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and biomedical research areas. Techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) are commonly employed for the analysis and characterization of oxalosuccinic acid in different samples.
The word "oxalosuccinic acid" is derived from its chemical structure and composition.
The term "oxalo-" in oxalosuccinic acid refers to its derivation from oxalic acid, a dicarboxylic acid. Oxalic acid got its name from "oxalis", which is the Greek word for sorrel, a plant that was historically used as a source of oxalic acid.
"Succinic acid", on the other hand, is a dicarboxylic acid derived from the Latin word "succinum", which means amber. The name originally comes from the observation that succinic acid is a component of amber. Succinic acid was first isolated from amber around the 16th century.
When combined, "oxalosuccinic acid" refers to a compound that has both the characteristics of oxalic acid and succinic acid, indicating its chemical composition as a dicarboxylic acid.