Question

Identify the wrong statement from the following
A. Salicylic acid’s a monobasic acid
B. Methyl salicylate is an ester
C. Salicylic acid gives a violet color with neutral ferric chloride as well as brisk effervescence with sodium bicarbonate
D. Methyl salicylate does not occur in natural oils

Answer 1

Hint: Salicylic acid is an odorless white crystalline solid. IUPAC name of salicylic acid is 2-hydroxybenzoic acid. Salts and esters of salicylic acid is called salicylate. Salicylic acid and its esters are organic in nature.

Complete answer:The structure of salicylic acid is –








Salicylates naturally occurring organic compounds. Salicylates are salts and esters of salicylic acid, when the Hydrogen of the carboxylic group is replaced by any metal like sodium (Na), potassium (K), Zinc (Zn), Nickel (Ni), etc. are called salts of salicylic acid, and when the Hydrogen of the carboxylic group is replaced by any alkylic, allylic group it is called ester of salicylic acid. Examples -











Salicylates are found naturally in plants, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. Salicylates have analgesic properties. Analgesics are drugs that are used for pain removal, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. Salicylic acid is monobasic in nature because it contains one acidic hydrogen for dissociation.
The reaction of salicylic acid with neutral ferric chloride and sodium bicarbonate is-



















Thus, we can see that when salicylic acid reacts with ferric chloride they form a complex compound with a metal-ligand bond hence complex compound have a tendency to show colors. Hence, the methyl salicylate shows a violet color with neutral ferric chloride.

When salicylic acid reacts with sodium bicarbonate it produces sodium salicylate with carbon dioxide and water, when carbon dioxide is produced in the reaction it evolves with brisk effervescence.

Methyl salicylate is also called the oil of wintergreen. It can be isolated from many plants mostly it is found in the plant wintergreen. So, we can see that it occurs naturally in the form of oil. Hence the incorrect option is methyl salicylate does not occur in natural oils.

Thus, Option (D) is correct

Note: Methyl salicylate have analgesics properties. It is used for body pains, muscle aches, joint pains, etc. It is used in the form of balm or iodex. The most commonly used painkiller aspirin contains a meth