Question

Answer the question on the basis of the passage given below:
Alcohols and phenol are formed when a hydrogen atom in a hydrocarbon, aliphatic and aromatic respectively, is replaced by \(-OH\). The substitution of a hydrogen atom in a hydrocarbon by an alkoxy or aryloxy group forms ethers.
Alcohols and phenol consist of two parts, an alkyl/aryl group and a hydroxyl group. The properties of alcohols and phenols are primarily due to the hydroxyl group. The nature of alkyl and aryl groups simply modify these properties. Alcohol react both as nucleophiles and electrophiles whereas in phenols, the reactions that take place on the aromatic ring are electrophilic substitution reactions.
Aspirin is an acetylation product of:

• A. \( o \)-Dihydroxybenzoic acid
• B. \( o \)-Hydroxybenzoic acid
• C. \( m \)-Hydroxybenzoic acid
• D. \( p \)-Dihydroxybenzene

Hint:

The acetylation reaction is a type of electrophilic substitution in which the hydroxyl group of phenols or alcohols reacts with an acetylating agent like acetyl chloride (CH₃COCl) to form acetylated products like aspirin.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

In the case of aspirin, which is acetylsalicylic acid, the acetylation reaction takes place on the hydroxyl group of salicylic acid. The reaction can be written as: \[ \text{Salicylic acid (C}_7\text{H}_6\text{O}_3\text{) + Acetylation agent (CH}_3\text{COCl)} \rightarrow \text{Aspirin (C}_9\text{H}_8\text{O}_4\text{)} \] \[ \text{C}_7\text{H}_6\text{O}_3 + \text{CH}_3\text{COCl} \rightarrow \text{C}_9\text{H}_8\text{O}_4 + \text{HCl} \] In this reaction, the acetyl group (CH₃CO) attaches to the hydroxyl group of salicylic acid.
Thus, the correct option is (2): \( o \)-Hydroxybenzoic acid. - The structure of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is formed by the acetylation of \( o \)-Hydroxybenzoic acid.