Question

Identify the product B in the following reaction

Sodium salicylate $\xrightarrow{H_3O^+} A \xrightarrow[\text{H}^+]{(CH_3CO)_2O} B$

• A. Acetophenone
• B. Acetylsalicylic acid
• C. Salicyladehyde
• D. Sodium phenoxide

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Acetylsalicylic acid

Answer 2

1. Step 1: Sodium salicylate when treated with $H_3O^+$ gives salicylic acid (Compound A).

2. Step 2: Salicylic acid reacts with acetic anhydride ($(CH_3CO)_2O$) in the presence of an acid catalyst to yield acetylsalicylic acid (Product B).

Short Explanation:

• Convert sodium salicylate to salicylic acid using $H_3O^+$.
• Acetic anhydride acetylates the -OH group of salicylic acid forming acetylsalicylic acid.