3-Methylsalicylic acid

3-Methylsalicylic acid is an organic compound with the formula CH₃C₆H₃(CO₂H)(OH). It is a white solid that is soluble in basic water and in polar organic solvents. At neutral pH, the acid exists as 3-methylsalicylate Its functional groups include a carboxylic acid and a phenol group. It is one of four isomers of methylsalicylic acid.

3-Methylsalicylic acid

Names
Preferred IUPAC name 2-Hydroxy-3-methylbenzoic acid
Other names 2,3-Cresotic acid o-Cresotinic acid 2-Hydroxy-m-toluic acid
Identifiers
CAS Number	83-40-9
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:20141
ChEMBL	ChEMBL448399
ChemSpider	6482
ECHA InfoCard	100.001.340
EC Number	201-473-8
KEGG	C14088
PubChem CID	6738
UNII	ZH3HEY032H
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID9038686
InChI InChI=1S/C8H8O3/c1-5-3-2-4-6(7(5)9)8(10)11/h2-4,9H,1H3,(H,10,11) Key: WHSXTWFYRGOBGO-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES CC1=CC=CC(=C1O)C(=O)O
Properties
Chemical formula	C8H8O3
Molar mass	152.149 g·mol−1
Appearance	white solid
Melting point	165.5 °C (329.9 °F; 438.6 K)
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Danger
Hazard statements	H302, H315, H318, H335
Precautionary statements	P261, P264, P270, P271, P280, P301+P312, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P310, P312, P321, P330, P332+P313, P362, P403+P233, P405, P501
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

It is produced by carboxylation of sodium o-cresolate:^[1][2]

CH₃C₆H₄ONa + CO₂ → CH₃C₆H₃(CO₂Na)OH

See also

• 4-Methylsalicylic acid
• 6-Methylsalicylic acid