Aspirin, a common analgesic, is synthesized by the acetylation of salicylic acid. Which reagent is t — Alcohols Phenols and Ethers Chemistry Question
Question
Aspirin, a common analgesic, is synthesized by the acetylation of salicylic acid. Which reagent is typically used with a catalytic amount of acid for this conversion?
Answer: B
💡 Solution & Explanation
Salicylic acid is treated with acetic anhydride in the presence of a few drops of concentrated $H_2SO_4$. This causes selective acetylation of the phenolic $-OH$ group, yielding acetylsalicylic acid, universally known as Aspirin.
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