Aspirine (Acetylsalicylic acid)

Salicylic acid

Salicylic acid (2-hydoxybenzoic acid) is a white solid which can be extracted from plants such as

the willow

or

meadowsweet

Aspirine: acid and ester

Aspirin is an ester of acetic acid with the alcohol function of salicylic acid:

The synthesis of aspirin: an esterification

Aspirin is prepared by esterification of salicylic acid with acetic acid:

or, with a better yield by esterification of salicylic acid with acetic anhydride:

Adapted from →   Kie_gb