2hydroxymethylbenzoic

2-Hydroxymethylbenzoic acid, also known as o-(hydroxymethyl)benzoic acid, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C8H8O3. It is a derivative of benzoic acid where a hydroxymethyl group (-CH2OH) is substituted at the ortho position on the benzene ring. This compound is a white crystalline solid.

The structure of 2-hydroxymethylbenzoic acid features a benzene ring with a carboxylic acid group (-COOH) and a hydroxymethyl group attached to adjacent carbon atoms. The presence of both acidic and alcoholic functional groups makes it a bifunctional molecule, allowing it to participate in various chemical reactions.

2-Hydroxymethylbenzoic acid can be synthesized through several routes, including the reduction of phthalic anhydride or related derivatives. It has found applications as a building block in organic synthesis, particularly in the preparation of heterocyclic compounds and polymers. Its derivatives may exhibit biological activity, although 2-hydroxymethylbenzoic acid itself is not widely known for specific pharmacological properties. Research into its potential uses and the properties of its derivatives continues in the field of organic chemistry.