Overview

Acetylsalicylic acid (uh-SEE-till-sal-in-SILL-ik As-id, or uh-se-TEEL-sal-ih-SEEL-ik AS-id), more commonly known as aspirin, is the world's most commonly used therapeutic drug. By one estimate, about 137 million aspirin tablets are taken every day throughout the world. The drug is also known by other names including: o-acetoxybenzoic acid; 2-(acetyloxy)-benzoic acid; 2-carboxyphenyl acetate; and benzoic acid, 2-hydroxyacetate, in addition to about ten other systematic names and many common names.

Key Facts

Other Names:

Aspirin; see Overview for more names

Formula:

CH₃COOC₆H₄COOH

Elements:

Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen

Compound Type:

Carboxylic acid (organic)

State:

Solid

Molecular Weight:

180.17 g/mol

Melting Point:

135°C (275°F; decomposes)

Boiling Point:

Not applicable

Solubility:

Soluble in water, alcohol, ether, chloroform

The analgesic properties of willow tree bark, from which salicylic acid comes, have been known for well over 3,500 years. They were first described in Egyptian scrolls dating to about 1550 BCE and...