| Name |
Systematic name |
Formula |
Melting point |
Boiling point |
Color |
Structure |
| salicylic acid |
2-hydroxybenzoic acid |
C6H4(OH)CO2H |
159°C
318°F |
|
|
 |
acetylsalicylic acid
(aspirin) |
2-acetoxybenzoic acid |
C6H4(OCOCH3)CO2H |
|
|
|
 |
Salicylic acid
A colorless, crystalline organic
carboxylic acid. It is usually prepared by
Kolbe synthesis (aka Kolbe-Schmitt
? reaction), which works by heating [sodium phenolate]
? (the
sodium salt of
phenol) with
carbon dioxide under pressure (100 atm
?, 125°C), then treating it with [sulfuric acid]
?. Salicylic acid is also found in plants
?, especially in fruits
?, in the form of methyl salicylate. It is toxic if digested in large quantities, but in small quantities used as a [food preservative]
? and antiseptic
? in toothpastes
?. The [carboxyl group]
? (-COOH) can react with
alcohols, forming several useful
esters. The [hydroxyl group]
? (-OH) can react with [acetic acid]
? to acetylsalicylic acid.
Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin)
Acetylsalicylic acid can be prepared by the esterification of the phenolic hydroxyl group of salicylic acid. It is used in medicine as an
analgesic, as an [anti-inflammatory agent]
?, and as an [antipyretic compound]
?.
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