How Is Salicylic Acid a Precursor to Aspirin?
Salicylic acid is a mildly acidic organic molecule of relatively small size, which possesses both phenol and carboxylic acid functional groups. Salicylic acid is the active portion of the larger molecule salicin, which can be isolated from plants including white willow (Salix alba). It has some application as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. It is perhaps best known, however, as the synthetic starting material for the popular drug, aspirin.
