Salicylic Acid

C₇H₆O₃

IUPAC: 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid

CAS: 69-72-7

Overview

Salicylic acid is derived from willow bark and is the precursor to aspirin. It is widely used in skincare products for treating acne and warts.

Composition

Element Symbol Atoms Atomic Mass
Hydrogen H 6 1.0080
Carbon C 7 12.0110
Oxygen O 3 15.9990

Elemental Composition

H
Hydrogen ×6
4.4%
C
Carbon ×7
60.9%
O
Oxygen ×3
34.8%

Uses

  • • Acne treatment
  • • Wart removal
  • • Food preservative
  • • Aspirin precursor

Fun Facts

  • ✦ Ancient Egyptians used willow bark (containing salicin) for pain relief 3,500 years ago

Safety

  • ⚠ Irritant

Structure

SMILES

C1=CC=C(C(=C1)C(=O)O)O

Properties

Type
organic
State
solid
Molar Mass
138.12 g/mol
Density
1.4430 g/cm³
Melting Point
159.0 °C
Boiling Point
211.0 °C
Solubility
2.2 g/L at 20°C

Molecular Descriptors

Exact Mass
138.0317
XLogP
2.3
TPSA
57.5 Ų
H-Bond Donors
2
H-Bond Acceptors
3
Rotatable Bonds
1
Heavy Atoms
10
Complexity
133.0

Related Compounds

1,2-Dichloroethane

C₂H₄Cl₂

1,3-Butadiene

C₄H₆

1,4-Dioxane

C₄H₈O₂

1-Butanol

C₄H₁₀O

2-Propanol

C₃H₈O

Acetaldehyde

CH₃CHO

Acetamide

C₂H₅NO

Acetic Anhydride

C₄H₆O₃

Acetone

(CH₃)₂CO

Acetonitrile

C₂H₃N

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Salicylic Acid?
Salicylic Acid (C₇H₆O₃) is a organic compound with the IUPAC name 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid.
What is the molecular weight of Salicylic Acid?
Salicylic Acid has a molar mass of 138.12 g/mol.
What state is Salicylic Acid at room temperature?
Salicylic Acid is a solid at room temperature.
Is Salicylic Acid organic or inorganic?
Salicylic Acid is classified as an organic compound.
What elements make up Salicylic Acid?
Salicylic Acid (C₇H₆O₃) is composed of Hydrogen (H), Carbon (C), Oxygen (O).