Aspirin, a well-known pain-relieving medication, is also called acetylsalicylic acid. It is synthesized by the acetylation of salicylic acid, where the acetyl group -COCH\(_3\) is attached to the hydroxyl group of salicylic acid.
- Methylsalicylate: This is a compound with a methyl ester group (-COOCH₃) and is commonly used as a rubefacient in topical ointments.
- Ethyl salicylate: Similar to methylsalicylate, it is the ethyl ester of salicylic acid and is used in flavoring and fragrance products.
- Acetylsalicylate: This is not the correct IUPAC name for aspirin; the correct name is acetylsalicylic acid.
Thus, acetylsalicylic acid is the correct name for aspirin.