Phenol to aspirin
2 steps: Kolbe's reaction, then esterification
PhenolC₆H₅OHPhenol - Step 1
(i) NaOH (ii) CO₂, 400 K, 4 to 7 atm (iii) H⁺
Salicylic acido-HOC₆H₄COOHCarboxylic acid - Step 2
(CH₃CO)₂O, H⁺
Aspirino-CH₃COOC₆H₄COOHEster
Exam answer
- Step 1: Phenol to salicylic acid: (i) NaOH (ii) CO₂, 400 K, 4 to 7 atm (iii) H⁺.
- Step 2: Salicylic acid to aspirin: (CH₃CO)₂O, H⁺.
Reagent and reason, step by step
- Step 1: Phenol to salicylic acid: (i) NaOH (ii) CO₂, 400 K, 4 to 7 atm (iii) H⁺ Kolbe's reaction puts a COOH group ortho to the OH through the phenoxide ion.
- Step 2: Salicylic acid to aspirin: (CH₃CO)₂O, H⁺ Acetylation of the phenolic OH gives aspirin.
Phenol to aspirin: quick answers
How many steps does it take to convert phenol to aspirin?
2 steps: Phenol, then salicylic acid, then aspirin.
Which named reaction is used to convert phenol to aspirin?
Kolbe's reaction and Esterification. Sodium phenoxide reacts with carbon dioxide at 400 K and 4 to 7 atm, and acidification gives salicylic acid.
What is the reagent for step 1 of phenol to aspirin?
Phenol to salicylic acid: (i) NaOH (ii) CO₂, 400 K, 4 to 7 atm (iii) H⁺. Kolbe's reaction puts a COOH group ortho to the OH through the phenoxide ion.