oHydroxybenzoate

o-Hydroxybenzoate, also known as salicylic acid, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C7H6O3. It is a monohydroxybenzoic acid, meaning it has one hydroxyl group and one carboxyl group attached to a benzene ring. The hydroxyl group is positioned ortho to the carboxyl group. It is a white crystalline solid and is sparingly soluble in water.

Salicylic acid is widely known for its medicinal properties, particularly its use as a keratolytic agent, which helps to break down and shed dead skin cells. This property makes it a common ingredient in treatments for acne, psoriasis, and other skin conditions. It is also an anti-inflammatory and analgesic. In its ester form, methyl salicylate, it is used as a topical analgesic for muscle and joint pain.

Industrially, salicylic acid is a precursor to a variety of compounds. Most notably, it is acetylated to produce acetylsalicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin. It also finds applications in the synthesis of perfumes, dyes, and food preservatives. The compound can be synthesized through various methods, including the Kolbe-Schmitt reaction, which involves the carboxylation of sodium phenoxide.

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