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EVERYDAY COMPOUNDS: SALICYLIC ACID

SALICYLIC ACID

2-Hydroxybenzoic acidWhite, crystalline solid

C7H6O3

OH

O

OH

ACNECREAM

SHAMPOO

TOOTHPASTE

MEDICINE

SALICYLIC ACID IS FOUND NATURALLY IN MANY PLANTS, & CAN BE ISOLATED FROM WILLOW TREE BARK. UNRIPE FRUITS & VEGETABLES ARE NATURAL SOURCES OF SALICYLIC ACID.

AS A KERATOLYTIC AGENT AS AN ANTI-DANDRUFF AGENT

AS AN ANTIBACTERIAL AGENT AS A PRECURSOR MOLECULE

2014 COMPOUND INTEREST - WWW.COMPOUNDCHEM.COM

Salicylic acid is present in acne creams& wart treatment as a keratolyticagent; it softens keratin, the proteinsthat make up the outer layer of skin,by increasing the amount of moisturein the skin, and assists the exfoliationof skin cells.

As a keratolytic agent, salicylic acid isalso found in anti-dandru shampoos.It helps loosen dry skin on the scalpand remove dry skin akes.

Most of the anti-dandru shampoosthat use it will contain around 2-3%salicylic acid.

Sodium salicylate is the sodium saltof salicylic acid, and has antibacterialproperties. It is for this reason thatit can be found in some toothpastes& mouthwashes. Sodium salicylate isalso used, along with salicylic acid, as afood preservative due to its antisepticproperties.

Na+

OH

O

O-

SODIUM SALICYLATE

O OH

O

O

ASPIRIN (ACETYL SALICYLIC ACID)

Salicyclic acid is reacted with aceticanhydride, using sulfuric acid orphosphoric acid as a catalyst, to produceaspirin. Aspirin has analgesic and anti-inammatory properties. It is one of themost widely used medications in theworld, with around 40,000 tonnes of itbeing consumed each year.