What is the reaction between methanol and salicylic acid?

The carboxylic group (-COOH) converts into ester (−COCH3) during the reaction of salicylic acid with methanol so, the reaction is known as esterification. The product methyl 2− hydroxyl benzoate is known as oil of wintergreen. Oil of wintergreen is a naturally produced organic ester.

What ester does methanol and salicylic acid make?

Methyl salicylate
Methyl salicylate, an ester derived from the combination of salicylic acid and methanol, is also known as the oil of wintergreen.

What is the esterification of salicylic acid?

However, salicylic acid also has an electrophilic carbon atom as part of its carboxylic acid functional group. The reaction of a carboxylic acid with an alcohol, an esterification, its analogues, amidation for example, and the reverse reactions, ester hydrolysis for example, are essential to life as we know it.

Why is excess methanol used in Fischer esterification?

To drive the equilibrium to make more ester, excess alcohol is added following Le Chatelier’s Principle. Its role is to facilitate the nucleophilic attack of the alcohol at the carbonyl carbon of the carboxylic acid.

Does salicylic acid dissolve in methanol?

The solubility of salicylic acid has been investigated in methanol, acetonitrile, acetic acid, acetone, water, and ethyl acetate from (10 to 50) °C. No new polymorphs or solvates of salicylic acid were found. A higher solubility was related to a lower van’t Hoff enthalpy of solution.

What is meant by Fischer esterification?

Fischer esterification is the esterification of a Carboxylic acid by heating it with an alcohol in the presence of a strong acid as the catalyst.

How can the Fischer esterification be driven to completion?

This reaction is also known as the Fischer esterification. Esters are obtained by refluxing the parent carboxylic acid with the appropraite alcohol with an acid catalyst. The equilibrium can be driven to completion by using an excess of either the alcohol or the carboxylic acid, or by removing the water as it forms.

Is salicylic acid soluble in alcohol?

The solubility of salicylic acid decreases in the order of ethanol, ethyl acetate, carbon tetrachloride, xylene, and water. The low cohesive energy of the solvent may relate to high solubility in ethanol and ethyl acetate.

How does propylene glycol dissolve salicylic acid?

Use propylene glycol to dissolve your salicylic acid. You can also use vegetable glycerin as a solvent, but you’ll have to heat it to about 100 °F (38 °C) in a double boiler before adding the salicylic acid. This will ensure that the powder dissolves completely.

How is Fischer esterification different from esterification?

The key difference between Fischer esterification and Steglich esterification is that Fischer esterification involves the reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol in the presence of a strong acid as the catalyst whereas Steglich esterification involves the reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol in …