Salicylic acid

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Salicylic acid is a colorless, crystalline organic carboxylic acid. It is usually prepared by Kolbe synthesis (aka Kolbe-Schmitt reaction). Salicylic acid functions as a plant hormone; see Salicylic acid (plant hormone).

Related Topics:
Carboxylic acid - Kolbe - Kolbe-Schmitt reaction - Plant hormone - Salicylic acid (plant hormone)

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Salicylic acid is toxic if ingested in large quantities, but in small quantities is used as a food preservative and antiseptic in toothpaste. The carboxyl group (–COOH) can react with alcohols, forming several useful esters. The ester with methanol is methyl salicylate, also known under the name oil of wintergreen. The hydroxyl group (–OH) can be acetylated to form acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). Salicylic acid can also trap oxygen (O2) and initiate free radical reactions.

Related Topics:
Food preservative - Antiseptic - Toothpaste - Carboxyl group - Alcohols - Ester - Methanol - Methyl salicylate - Hydroxyl group - Acetylated - Aspirin - Oxygen - Free radical

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Salicylic acid is the key additive in many skin-care products for the treatment of acne, callouses and corns, keratosis pilaris and warts. It treats acne by causing skin cells to slough off more readily, preventing pores from clogging up.

Related Topics:
Additive - Acne - Keratosis pilaris - Wart - Pore

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The medicinal properties of salicylate (mainly the lowering of fever) have been known since ancient times. The substance occurs in the bark of willow trees and the name Salicylic acid is derived from the Latin name for the Willow tree - Salix.

Related Topics:
Fever - Willow

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Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin or ASA) can be prepared by the esterification of the phenolic hydroxyl group of salicylic acid.

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