Question

It is noted that the addition of methyl salicylate into a caustic solution produces a precipitate. Propose the chemical structure of a solid that would explain this observation.

a) NaOHNaOH
b) C7H6O3C 7​H 6​ O 3​
c) CH3COONaCH 3​COONa
d) C7H6O4C 7​H 6O4
​

Answer 1

The solid formed from the addition of methyl salicylate to a caustic solution is likely salicylic acid (C7H6O3), resulting from a saponification reaction with sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks for the chemical structure of a solid formed when methyl salicylate is added to a caustic solution, resulting in a precipitate.

Methyl salicylate is an ester of salicylic acid, and upon reacting with a caustic solution like sodium hydroxide (NaOH), saponification can occur.

This reaction would break the ester bond, forming salicylic acid and a methyl alcohol (methanol) byproduct.

Salicylic acid, with the formula C7H6O3, would likely be the solid or precipitate observed due to its limited solubility in an aqueous solution relative to the other potential products.