Salicylic Acid

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  • Identifiers

    CAS number
    69-72-7

    Molecular formula
    C7H6O3

    SMILES
    C1=CC=C(C(=C1)C(=O)O)O

    Safety labels

    Corrosive
    Corrosive

    Irritant
    Irritant

    Health Hazard
    Health

  • Odor profile

    Phenolic 73.11%
    Odorless 44.99%
    Nutty 44.38%
    Medicinal 41.62%
    Balsamic 38.6%
    Bitter 34.97%
    Burnt 34.81%
    Aromatic 33.52%
    Sweet 31.1%
    Almond 31.05%

    Scent© AI

  • Properties

    XLogP3-AA
    2.3

    pKa est.
    8.08 (weak base)

    Molecular weight
    138.12 g/mol

    Vapor pressure est.

    • hPa @ 20°C
    • hPa @ 25°C

    Evaporation rate
    Ultra slow

    Melting point expt.

    • 315 °F (USCG, 1999)
    • 158 °C
    • Melting point equals 315 °F
    • 159 °C

    Boiling point

    • 211 °C at 2.00E+01 mm Hg
    • 211 °C at 20 torr
    • 211.00 °C. @ 20.00 mm Hg
    • 256 °C (sublimes)

    Flash point est.
    144.7 ˚C

    Flash point expt.

    • 315 °F (157 °C) (closed cup)
    • 157 °C c.c.

    Solubility expt.

    • 2240 mg/L (at 25 °C)
    • Solubility (weight percent): carbon tetrachloride 0.262 (25 °C); benzene 0.775 (25 °C); propanol 27.36 (21 °C); absolute ethanol 34.87 (21 °C); acetone 396 (23 °C)
    • Soluble in oil of turpentine, alcohol, ether
    • SLIGHTLY SOL IN TOLUENE
    • In water, 2,240 mg/L at 25 °C
    • 2.24 mg/mL at 25 °C
    • Solubility in water, g/100ml at 20 °C: 0.2 (slightly soluble)
    • very slightly soluble in water; soluble in organic solvents
    • very soluble (in ethanol)

  • Synonyms

    • salicylic acid
    • 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid
    • 69-72-7
    • o-hydroxybenzoic acid
    • 2-Carboxyphenol
    • o-Carboxyphenol
    • Rutranex
    • Salonil
    • Retarder W
    • Duoplant
    • Keralyt
    • Psoriacid-S-stift
    • Freezone
    • Saligel
    • Ionil
    • Benzoic acid, 2-hydroxy-
    • Salicylic acid soap
    • Stri-Dex
    • Verrugon
    • Salicylic acid collodion
    • Acidum salicylicum
    • Trans-Ver-Sal
    • 2-Hydroxybenzenecarboxylic acid
    • Phenol-2-carboxylic acid
    • Orthohydroxybenzoic acid
    • Salicyclic acid
    • Acido salicilico
    • Kyselina salicylova
    • Salicylic acid, tech.
    • Duofilm
    • Ionil-Plus
    • Dr. Scholl's callus removers
    • Clear away wart remover
    • Duofil wart remover
    • Domerine
    • Occlusal
    • Sebucare
    • Sebulex
    • Mediplast pads
    • Akurza Lotion
    • Hydrisalic Gel
    • Kyselina 2-hydroxybenzoova
    • Akurza Cream
    • Ionil plus
    • Salex Lotion
    • Salex Cream
    • DuoPlant Gel
    • Caswell No. 731
    • Dr. Scholl's corn removers
    • Kyselina salicylova [Czech]
    • salicylicum acidum
    • DHS Sal Shampoo
    • P&S Shampoo
    • Dr. Scholl's wart remover kit
    • Durasal
    • Acido salicilico [Italian]
    • NSC 180
    • Advanced pain relief corn removers
    • Acido o-idrossibenzoico
    • Kyselina 2-hydroxybenzoova [Czech]
    • Benzoic acid, hydroxy-
    • Advanced pain relief callus removers
    • CCRIS 6714
    • HSDB 672
    • Acido o-idrossibenzoico [Italian]
    • AI3-02407
    • Propa pH Peel-Off Acne Mask
    • Salicylic acid & Sulfur Soap
    • MFCD00002439
    • 2-hydroxy-benzoic acid
    • EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 076602
    • Anti-blemish
    • CHEBI:16914
    • BRN 0774890
    • NSC-180
    • UNII-O414PZ4LPZ
    • EINECS 200-712-3
    • O414PZ4LPZ
    • DTXSID7026368
    • FEMA NO. 3985
    • Bazuka Extra Strength Gel
    • CHEMBL424
    • Salicylic acid [USP:JAN]
    • MLS000069653
    • DTXCID206368
    • NSC180
    • K 537
    • EC 200-712-3
    • 29656-58-4
    • ATA fraction 10, ammonium salt
    • NCGC00159447-05
    • SMR000059163
    • Acid, Salicylic
    • ortho-Hydroxybenzoic Acid
    • Salicylic acid (USP:JAN)
    • SALICYLIC ACID (USP)
    • SALICYLIC ACID [USP]
    • o Hydroxybenzoic Acid
    • SALICYLIC ACID (MART.)
    • SALICYLIC ACID [MART.]
    • SALICYLIC ACID (USP-RS)
    • Salicylic acid [USAN:JAN]
    • SALICYLIC ACID [USP-RS]
    • 2 Hydroxybenzoic Acid
    • Acid, o-Hydroxybenzoic
    • Acid, 2-Hydroxybenzoic
    • ortho Hydroxybenzoic Acid
    • SALICYLIC ACID (EP IMPURITY)
    • SALICYLIC ACID [EP IMPURITY]
    • SALICYLIC ACID (EP MONOGRAPH)
    • SALICYLIC ACID [EP MONOGRAPH]
    • Acid, ortho-Hydroxybenzoic
    • SALICYLIC ACID (USP MONOGRAPH)
    • SALICYLIC ACID [USP MONOGRAPH]
    • CAS-69-72-7
    • LAMIVUDINE IMPURITY C (EP IMPURITY)
    • LAMIVUDINE IMPURITY C [EP IMPURITY]
    • MESALAZINE IMPURITY H (EP IMPURITY)
    • MESALAZINE IMPURITY H [EP IMPURITY]
    • NSC629474
    • phenol derivative, 7
    • Salicylic acid (TN)
    • SULFASALAZINE IMPURITY H (EP IMPURITY)
    • SULFASALAZINE IMPURITY H [EP IMPURITY]
    • ACETYLSALICYLIC ACID IMPURITY C (EP IMPURITY)
    • ACETYLSALICYLIC ACID IMPURITY C [EP IMPURITY]
    • liquid
    • Aftaseptic

  • Applications

    Salicylic acid (CAS 69-72-7) is a naturally occurring phenolic compound that is either extracted or synthesized for extensive use across pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and agriculture; in skin care it serves as a keratolytic agent that exfoliates corneocytes, aids in the treatment of acne, folliculitis, dandruff and actinic keratosis, while helping to unclog pores and diminish redness, and in drug formulation it is a key intermediate for the manufacture of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and various antipyretic-analgesic derivatives; furthermore, salicylic acid functions as a mild preservative, a plant growth regulator and a post-harvest fungistatic ingredient; nevertheless, its application must observe recommended concentration limits to avoid irritation and comply with the safety regulations of each jurisdiction.

  • Solubility @25˚C

    Solvent Solubility (g/L)
    ethanol 379.31
    methanol 459.33
    isopropanol 266.01
    water 2.43
    ethyl acetate 220.92
    n-propanol 263.5
    acetone 378.21
    n-butanol 229.73
    acetonitrile 98.5
    DMF 1155.91
    toluene 10.99
    isobutanol 163.48
    1,4-dioxane 510.45
    methyl acetate 222.61
    THF 2479.16
    2-butanone 268.37
    n-pentanol 214.95
    sec-butanol 188.28
    n-hexane 7.28
    ethylene glycol 209.34
    NMP 626.39
    cyclohexane 1.18
    DMSO 2096.18
    n-butyl acetate 100.85
    n-octanol 102.48
    chloroform 25.13
    n-propyl acetate 160.94
    acetic acid 140.28
    dichloromethane 25.36
    cyclohexanone 209.61
    propylene glycol 192.09
    isopropyl acetate 158.71
    DMAc 439.9
    2-ethoxyethanol 426.36
    isopentanol 173.14
    n-heptane 6.89
    ethyl formate 145.37
    1,2-dichloroethane 56.29
    n-hexanol 224.27
    2-methoxyethanol 647.94
    isobutyl acetate 73.22
    tetrachloromethane 9.85
    n-pentyl acetate 75.83
    transcutol 345.92
    n-heptanol 130.41
    ethylbenzene 14.18
    MIBK 208.2
    2-propoxyethanol 448.98
    tert-butanol 333.4
    MTBE 154.91
    2-butoxyethanol 215.66
    propionic acid 177.91
    o-xylene 13.58
    formic acid 152.52
    diethyl ether 162.01
    m-xylene 23.4
    p-xylene 16.08
    chlorobenzene 17.07
    dimethyl carbonate 157.17
    n-octane 4.03
    formamide 279.48
    cyclopentanone 628.07
    2-pentanone 305.92
    anisole 89.97
    cyclopentyl methyl ether 340.64
    gamma-butyrolactone 739.23
    1-methoxy-2-propanol 566.41
    pyridine 75.22
    3-pentanone 137.12
    furfural 291.63
    n-dodecane 5.27
    diethylene glycol 414.71
    diisopropyl ether 58.3
    tert-amyl alcohol 197.94
    acetylacetone 321.79
    n-hexadecane 5.72
    acetophenone 78.15
    methyl propionate 224.97
    isopentyl acetate 78.3
    trichloroethylene 66.57
    n-nonanol 90.22
    cyclohexanol 100.25
    benzyl alcohol 81.67
    2-ethylhexanol 84.93
    isooctanol 93.22
    dipropyl ether 95.03
    1,2-dichlorobenzene 18.96
    ethyl lactate 122.81
    propylene carbonate 225.55
    n-methylformamide 486.61
    2-pentanol 182.43
    n-pentane 4.91
    1-propoxy-2-propanol 253.24
    1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate 162.87
    2-(2-methoxypropoxy) propanol 147.87
    mesitylene 20.6
    ε-caprolactone 189.97
    p-cymene 17.15
    epichlorohydrin 666.75
    1,1,1-trichloroethane 37.25
    2-aminoethanol 295.56
    morpholine-4-carbaldehyde 441.01
    sulfolane 1051.68
    2,2,4-trimethylpentane 5.45
    2-methyltetrahydrofuran 586.46
    n-hexyl acetate 107.85
    isooctane 8.81
    2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol 224.68
    sec-butyl acetate 92.96
    tert-butyl acetate 185.8
    decalin 4.23
    glycerin 296.47
    diglyme 315.07
    acrylic acid 142.02
    isopropyl myristate 57.01
    n-butyric acid 188.7
    acetyl acetate 89.93
    di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate 41.65
    ethyl propionate 154.89
    nitromethane 391.0
    1,2-diethoxyethane 103.22
    benzonitrile 51.9
    trioctyl phosphate 51.04
    1-bromopropane 33.61
    gamma-valerolactone 504.57
    n-decanol 72.99
    triethyl phosphate 42.37
    4-methyl-2-pentanol 120.4
    propionitrile 117.11
    vinylene carbonate 128.81
    1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane 235.85
    DMS 76.8
    cumene 15.6
    2-octanol 80.43
    2-hexanone 202.97
    octyl acetate 74.97
    limonene 25.28
    1,2-dimethoxyethane 494.61
    ethyl orthosilicate 38.7
    tributyl phosphate 46.0
    diacetone alcohol 329.15
    N,N-dimethylaniline 61.42
    acrylonitrile 147.52
    aniline 43.5
    1,3-propanediol 329.94
    bromobenzene 11.0
    dibromomethane 16.69
    1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane 70.42
    2-methyl-cyclohexyl acetate 57.15
    tetrabutyl urea 66.94
    diisobutyl methanol 60.06
    2-phenylethanol 99.78
    styrene 13.04
    dioctyl adipate 66.08
    dimethyl sulfate 294.99
    ethyl butyrate 84.86
    methyl lactate 211.47
    butyl lactate 80.09
    diethyl carbonate 48.32
    propanediol butyl ether 166.38
    triethyl orthoformate 51.94
    p-tert-butyltoluene 20.53
    methyl 4-tert-butylbenzoate 104.86
    morpholine 559.72
    tert-butylamine 144.01
    n-dodecanol 55.34
    dimethoxymethane 688.76
    ethylene carbonate 115.93
    cyrene 165.22
    2-ethoxyethyl acetate 94.5
    2-ethylhexyl acetate 49.79
    1,2,4-trichlorobenzene 26.32
    4-methylpyridine 81.12
    dibutyl ether 59.8
    2,6-dimethyl-4-heptanol 60.06
    DEF 238.78
    dimethyl isosorbide 233.07
    tetrachloroethylene 39.9
    eugenol 124.2
    triacetin 81.16
    span 80 121.61
    1,4-butanediol 183.54
    1,1-dichloroethane 47.46
    2-methyl-1-pentanol 133.72
    methyl formate 389.49
    2-methyl-1-butanol 135.45
    n-decane 7.53
    butyronitrile 141.24
    3,7-dimethyl-1-octanol 74.1
    1-chlorooctane 36.27
    1-chlorotetradecane 16.55
    n-nonane 6.52
    undecane 6.29
    tert-butylcyclohexane 6.85
    cyclooctane 1.47
    cyclopentanol 262.92
    tetrahydropyran 264.08
    tert-amyl methyl ether 115.02
    2,5,8-trioxanonane 242.69
    1-hexene 34.49
    2-isopropoxyethanol 274.32
    2,2,2-trifluoroethanol 88.14
    methyl butyrate 181.79

    Scent© AI

1 4

IFRA standard 51

Recommendation
No restriction
Maximum acceptable concentrations in the finished product (%)
Category 1
Products applied to the lips
 No restriction Category 7A
Rinse-off products applied to the hair with some hand contact
 No restriction
Category 2
Products applied to the axillae
 No restriction Category 7B
Leave-on products applied to the hair with some hand contact
 No restriction
Category 3
Products applied to the face/body using fingertips
 No restriction Category 8
Products with significant anogenital exposure
 No restriction
Category 4
Products related to fine fragrance
 No restriction Category 9
Products with body and hand exposure, primarily rinse off
 No restriction
Category 5A
Body lotion products applied to the body using the hands (palms), primarily leave on
 No restriction Category 10A
Household care products with mostly hand contact
 No restriction
Category 5B
Face moisturizer products applied to the face using the hands (palms), primarily leave on
 No restriction Category 10B
Household care products with mostly hand contact, including aerosol/spray products (with potential leave-on skin contact)
 No restriction
Category 5C
Hand cream products applied to the hands using the hands (palms), primarily leave on
 No restriction Category 11A
Products with intended skin contact but minimal transfer of fragrance to skin from inert substrate without UV exposure
 No restriction
Category 5D
Baby Creams, baby Oils and baby talc
 No restriction Category 11B
Products with intended skin contact but minimal transfer of fragrance to skin from inert substrate with potential UV exposure
 No restriction
Category 6
Products with oral and lip exposure
 No restriction Category 12
Products not intended for direct skin contact, minimal or insignificant transfer to skin
 No restriction

Botanical

Name CAS Botanical Proportion
Chamomile, german (Greece) 1a 8002-66-2 Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rausch.(Matricaria chamomilla L.), fam.Asteraceae 3.0%
Chamomile, german (Greece) 1b 8002-66-2 Chamomilla recutita (L.) Rausch.(Matricaria chamomilla L.), fam.Asteraceae 2.8%
Spearmint, scotch (Japan) Mentha gracilis Sole, fam. Lamiaceae (Labiatae) 32.07%
Cassia, bark (China) 4a 8007-80-5 Cinnamomum cassia Blume, fam. Lauraceae 0.15%
Cassia, leaf (China) 4b 8007-80-5 Cinnamomum cassia Blume, fam. Lauraceae 0.05%