Methyl salicylate
An aromatic ester that retains a separate phenolic hydroxyl group.
- Formula
- C8H8O3
- Molar mass
- 152.15 g/mol
- Also known as
- methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate, Analgit, Flucarmit, Exagien, Betula, 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester
Overview
An aromatic ester that retains a separate phenolic hydroxyl group.
The carboxyl group of salicylic acid is present as a methyl ester, while the ring OH remains. Hydrolysis regenerates the acid or its carboxylate, depending on pH, and releases methanol. Its functional groups differ from aspirin even though both are related to salicylic acid.
Identifiers
- Formula
- C8H8O3
- Molar mass
- 152.15 g/mol
- Also known as
- methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate, Analgit, Flucarmit, Exagien, Betula, 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester
Chemical identifiers
- SMILES
- COC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1O
- InChI
- InChI=1S/C8H8O3/c1-11-8(10)6-4-2-3-5-7(6)9/h2-5,9H,1H3
- PubChem CID
- 4133
Properties
- Melting Point
- -8.6 °C
- Boiling Point
- 220-224 °C
- Relative density (water = 1)
- Relative density (water = 1): 1.18
- Water solubility
- Sol in water: 0.74%w @ 30 °C
Related compounds
Connected reactions
- Alkaline hydrolysis and acidification: Methyl salicylate → Salicylic acid
Hydroxide adds at the ester carbonyl and displaces the methoxy fragment, which becomes methanol. Alkaline conditions leave the salicylate groups deprotonated; subsequent acidification restores the neutral acid and phenolic OH.
References
- PubChem Compound Summary: Methyl salicylate (CID 4133)National Center for Biotechnology Information · PubChem
Identity, molecular formula, molecular weight and aliases retrieved via PUG REST on 2026-09-08.
- OpenStax Organic Chemistry: Chemistry of estersJohn McMurry · OpenStax · 2023
Supports the qualitative structural interpretation of the recorded molecular structure; no new physical measurement or verified preparative yield is claimed.
- Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Methyl salicylate — melting pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/4133#section=Melting-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1989., p. 961
- Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Methyl salicylate — boiling pointHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/4133#section=Boiling-Point. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Budavari, S. (ed.). The Merck Index - Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs and Biologicals. Rahway, NJ: Merck and Co., Inc., 1989., p. 961
- ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs): Methyl salicylate — densityILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/4133#section=Density. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred.
- Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB): Methyl salicylate — solubilityHazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Retrieved through PubChem PUG View on 2026-09-08. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/4133#section=Solubility. Source value, complete property clause or compact miscibility statement retained; absent pressure, temperature or phase conditions are not inferred. Original reference: Riddick, J.A., W.B. Bunger, Sakano T.K. Techniques of Chemistry 4th ed., Volume II. Organic Solvents. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons., 1985., p. 715