Succinic anhydride, is an organic compound with the molecular formula (CH2CO)2O.

In the laboratory, this material can be prepared by dehydration of succinic acid.

[6] Succinic anhydride hydrolyzes readily to give succinic acid: With alcohols (ROH), a similar reaction occurs, delivering the monoester: Succinic anhydride is used in acylations under Friedel-Crafts conditions, as illustrated by the industrial route to the drug Fenbufen.

In this role, the anhydride is proposed to form an ester with the hydroxyl groups on the cellulose fibers.

[8] Maleic anhydride undergoes a similar reaction with polyisobutylene to give polyisobutylenylsuccinic anhydride, a common building block chemical in the petroleum additives industry.