Chemical synthesis
A precursor in acetylsalicylic-acid synthesis and other transformations requiring the hydroxyl-bearing ring. [3]
01
THE ESSENTIALS
Salicylic Acid in 30 Seconds
There is one acidic carboxyl group on the ring and another hydroxyl next to it. The extra hydroxyl does not turn salicylic acid into a dicarboxylic acid.
Salicylic acid is a benzene ring bearing neighboring hydroxyl and carboxyl groups. That arrangement makes it a distinct synthesis intermediate and formulation ingredient. [1] [3]
Safety at a glance — The listed TCI H0206 UK product is classified as harmful if swallowed, causing serious eye damage, and suspected of damaging the unborn child (H302/H318/H361d). Its listing also identifies skin irritation, skin sensitization and organ-damage hazards. These are product/region-specific classifications. Topical use in formulated products does not make raw salicylic acid benign. [5]
A condensed structural formula keeps the functional groups visible. [1]
Topical formulation development
Used as an ingredient in topical products. [3]
Technical intermediates
Salicylic chemistry is used in making dyes and other industrial derivatives. [3]
Commercial availability
The supplier section separates package size, assay, grade, and market context for three named products. [4] [5] [6]
02
GO A LITTLE DEEPER
Understanding Salicylic Acid
THE SIMPLE EXPLANATION
The functional groups
There is one acidic carboxyl group on the ring and another hydroxyl next to it. The extra hydroxyl does not turn salicylic acid into a dicarboxylic acid. [1]
A LITTLE DEEPER
What the structure changes
The two adjacent groups influence the molecule’s behavior. The carboxyl proton dissociates much more readily than the phenolic hydroxyl proton; they should not be listed as two comparable carboxyl pKa values. [1] [4] [5] [6]
Technical detail Identity, dissociation & specification
The compiled reference gives pKa 2.98 for the carboxyl dissociation at 20 °C and about 13.6 for the phenolic dissociation. Assay by titration and chromatographic area purity are separate supplier measurements. [1] [2] [4] [5] [6]
Acid–base reference values describe equilibria under specified conditions. They are not a substitute for a validated formulation or an assay on the purchased lot.
03
MAKE THE CONNECTION
How Salicylic Acid Compares
Similar names and functional groups do not mean interchangeable chemicals.
SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON
Salicylic Acid vs Benzoic Acid
Aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid
versusAromatic monocarboxylic acid
Fixed comparison for this prototype. Acid selectors are disabled; additional comparisons are coming later.
| Property | Salicylic Acid | Benzoic Acid |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C₇H₆O₃ [1] | C₇H₆O₂ [7] |
| Molecular weight | 138.12 g/mol [1] | 122.12 g/mol [7] |
| Carbon atoms | 7 [1] | 7 [7] |
| Carboxyl groups | 1 [1] | 1 [7] |
| Structure | 2-HO–C₆H₄–COOH [1] | C₆H₅–COOH [7] |
| Chemical family | Aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid [1] | Aromatic monocarboxylic acid [7] |
| Identity focus | Solid [1] | Solid [7] |
| pKa context | 2.98 (carboxyl, 20 °C) [2] | ≈4.2 (25 °C) [10] |
Chemical identities are compared here; supplier grades, concentrations, and stereochemical specifications are separate purchasing attributes. pKa values retain their stated conditions; no quantitative solubility ranking is implied.
When Might You Choose One Instead of the Other?
Choose salicylic acid when the method needs its ortho hydroxyl, such as a specified acetylation route. Choose benzoic acid when the simpler aromatic carboxyl structure is required. Formulation decisions need an application-specific specification. [1] [3] [7]
Specified starting material
Salicylic Acid
Match 2-HO–C₆H₄–COOH and the method’s required chemical form.
Benzoic Acid
Match C₆H₅–COOH; verify the identity before substituting a related acid.
Before choosing: match the reaction or formulation, then verify the exact form, grade, assay basis, and impurities. These contexts do not establish suitability for an industrial or regulated application.
04
FROM STRUCTURE TO APPLICATION
What Is Salicylic Acid Used For?
Chemical synthesis
A precursor in acetylsalicylic-acid synthesis and other transformations requiring the hydroxyl-bearing ring. This is a manufacturing relationship, not a medical-benefit claim. [3]
Topical formulation development
Used as an ingredient in topical products. Buyers must verify formulation requirements and applicable specifications; the supplier comparison is not an approval assessment. [3]
Technical intermediates
Salicylic chemistry is used in making dyes and other industrial derivatives. Match the specific route and impurity limits. [3]
06
SOURCE WITH CONTEXT
Salicylic Acid Suppliers
Compare specific products and package options. Listings are not ranked recommendations.
3 suppliers · 3 products · 6 package listingsLatest supplier check: October 3, 2026
Package sizes stay grouped under the supplier product. Assay methods, product forms, and regional markets remain visible. Require the appropriate impurity profile and formulation specification; distinguish titration from HPLC assay.
Scroll horizontally if needed. Supplier and package identity stay visible.
| Supplier | Product / Grade | Purity / Assay | Package Size | Public Price | Normalized Price | Documentation | Last Checked | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sigma-AldrichSalicylic Acid | ACS reagent247588-100G | ≥99.0% | 100 g | $52.90USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | COA lookup on product page (opens new tab)SDSCheck supplierCOO lookup on product page (opens new tab) Document notes: Sigma-Aldrich
| View Product: Sigma-Aldrich, 247588-100G (opens new tab) | |
| ACS reagent247588-500G | ≥99.0% | 500 g | $109.00USD · US public price | Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ | View Product: Sigma-Aldrich, 247588-500G (opens new tab) | |||
| TCISalicylic Acid | Check supplierH0206 | >99.5% — neutralization titration ≥98.0 area% — HPLC | 25 g | £16.00GBP · UK public price | Not comparedDifferent currency / market | Document notes: TCI
| View Product: TCI, H0206 (opens new tab) | |
| Check supplierH0206 | >99.5% — neutralization titration ≥98.0 area% — HPLC | 500 g | £30.00GBP · UK public price | Not comparedDifferent currency / market | View Product: TCI, H0206 (opens new tab) | |||
| FUJIFILM WakoSalicylic Acid | Wako Special Grade194-14862 | ≥99.5% (titration) | 25 g | ¥2,300JPY · Japan suggested price (tax excluded) | Not comparedDifferent currency / market | COA lookup on product page (opens new tab)SDS PDF · Japan/JIS English (opens new tab)COOCheck supplier Document notes: FUJIFILM Wako
| View Product: FUJIFILM Wako, 194-14862 (opens new tab) | |
| Wako Special Grade198-14865 | ≥99.5% (titration) | 500 g | ¥4,700JPY · Japan suggested price (tax excluded) | Not comparedDifferent currency / market | View Product: FUJIFILM Wako, 198-14865 (opens new tab) |
Sigma-Aldrich
Salicylic Acid
ACS reagent
100 g
247588-100G- Public price
- $52.90USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
500 g
247588-500G- Public price
- $109.00USD · US public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedGrades, assay bases, or forms differ
Documentation
COA lookup on product page (opens new tab)SDSCheck supplierCOO lookup on product page (opens new tab)
Document notes: Sigma-Aldrich
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- A current regional SDS was not verified in this pass.
- A product-specific Certificate of Origin retrieval option was visible; no origin certificate was reviewed. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
TCI
Salicylic Acid
≥98.0 area% — HPLC
Check supplier
25 g
H0206- Public price
- £16.00GBP · UK public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedDifferent currency / market
500 g
H0206- Public price
- £30.00GBP · UK public price
- Normalized price
- Not comparedDifferent currency / market
Documentation
Document notes: TCI
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- A current regional SDS was not verified in this pass.
- Origin-document availability was not verified. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
FUJIFILM Wako
Salicylic Acid
Wako Special Grade
25 g
194-14862- Public price
- ¥2,300JPY · Japan suggested price (tax excluded)
- Normalized price
- Not comparedDifferent currency / market
500 g
198-14865- Public price
- ¥4,700JPY · Japan suggested price (tax excluded)
- Normalized price
- Not comparedDifferent currency / market
Documentation
COA lookup on product page (opens new tab)SDS PDF · Japan/JIS English (opens new tab)COOCheck supplier
Document notes: FUJIFILM Wako
- A product-specific certificate retrieval option was visible; no lot certificate was reviewed. Open the product page and use its certificate section.
- The linked Japan/JIS English SDS covers the displayed product codes. Confirm the current local version.
- Origin-document availability was not verified. Country of origin is unverified and is not inferred.
Last checked:
Documentation evidence
COA = Certificate of Analysis · SDS = Safety Data Sheet · COO = Certificate of Origin.
Lookup means a retrieval option was visible, not that a lot certificate was reviewed. Check supplier means availability or the applicable document was not verified.
Prices may vary by quantity, account, contract, geography, and availability. These products have different grades, assay bases, or forms; no normalized comparison is shown. Foreign-market prices are reference listings only. No currency conversion, mass-to-volume conversion, or ranking is applied. Confirm equivalent specifications and a current quote before comparison. [4] [5] [6]
Verification limits & placement policy
The water-solubility reference is approximately 2 g/L at 20 °C. Titration and HPLC area specifications measure different attributes and are shown separately. UK and Japan prices remain separate market references.
Only the displayed identity, specification, packages, public prices and stated documentation evidence were reviewed. Current stock, lead times, shipping eligibility, contract pricing, lot certificates, and regulatory suitability are unverified.
There are no paid placements. Future paid listings will show “Sponsored” in both views; payment will not determine chemistry interpretation or imply a ranking.
07
PLAN A LARGER ORDER
Need Salicylic Acid in Bulk?
Turn your requirements into a clear supplier brief.
Bulk RFQ feature — coming soon. Prototype form: submissions are not currently sent to suppliers. Use sample details to prepare an on-screen brief.
Prepare a bulk request Prototype form
08
A BUYER’S CHECKLIST
Before You Buy Salicylic Acid
Selections remain only while this page is open.
09
FOR YOUR REFERENCE
Salicylic Acid Technical Reference
Identity, product reference properties, and handling context.
Identification Names, formula & identifiers
- Principal CAS
- 69-72-7
- Identity focus
- Solid
- Formula
- C₇H₆O₃
- Molecular weight
- 138.12 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 2-hydroxybenzoic acid
- Connectivity SMILES
- C1=CC=C(C(=C1)C(=O)O)O
- PubChem CID
- 338
Connectivity SMILES describes connectivity; it is not an independent stereochemical assignment. CAS and product-form distinctions are supported by the supplier listings. [1] [4] [5] [6]
Physical Properties Product references & conditions
Salicylic acid has water solubility approximately 2 g/L at 20 °C and a melting point around 159 °C (ILO/WHO ICSC 0563). [12]
Hydrate, concentration, stereoisomer, and temperature can change the relevant specification. Product reference data are not a reviewed lot certificate.
Acid/Base Properties Verified values & missing data
Reference pKa: 2.98 (carboxyl, 20 °C). [2]
The water-solubility reference is approximately 2 g/L at 20 °C. Titration and HPLC area specifications measure different attributes and are shown separately. UK and Japan prices remain separate market references.
Temperature, ionic strength, and the use of activities versus concentrations matter in quantitative work. These reference values are not buffer recipes.
Safety at a Glance Product-specific hazards
The listed TCI H0206 UK product is classified as harmful if swallowed, causing serious eye damage, and suspected of damaging the unborn child (H302/H318/H361d). Its listing also identifies skin irritation, skin sensitization and organ-damage hazards. These are product/region-specific classifications. Topical use in formulated products does not make raw salicylic acid benign. [5]
Hazard classifications can vary by concentration, formulation, supplier and jurisdiction. Review the SDS for the exact product before handling. This summary does not replace the SDS.
Supplier safety information and SDS retrieval (opens new tab) · FUJIFILM Wako SDS PDF · Japan/JIS English (opens new tab)
A product-page safety classification is not verification of every regional SDS. Confirm product code, chemical form and current local document.
Review supplier documentation10
COMMON QUESTIONS
Salicylic Acid FAQ
What distinguishes Salicylic Acid?
There is one acidic carboxyl group on the ring and another hydroxyl next to it. The extra hydroxyl does not turn salicylic acid into a dicarboxylic acid. [1]
How does it differ from Benzoic Acid?
Benzoic acid lacks the adjacent hydroxyl. Salicylic acid therefore adds both a reaction site and a different acid–base profile; the two are not equivalent aromatic-acid supplies. [7]
What must a buyer specify?
Require the appropriate impurity profile and formulation specification; distinguish titration from HPLC assay. [4]
Are the listed products directly price-comparable?
No. The table retains differing grades, assay bases, forms, and markets. No normalized ranking or currency conversion is applied. [5]
What reference data still need checking?
The water-solubility reference is approximately 2 g/L at 20 °C. Titration and HPLC area specifications measure different attributes and are shown separately. UK and Japan prices remain separate market references.
Can I request a bulk quote here?
The RFQ is a prototype that prepares an on-screen brief. Nothing is sent to suppliers. Confirm actual bulk terms directly with the supplier.
11
TRACE THE INFORMATION
Sources & Editorial Notes
Identity and compiled reference values are separated from supplier-specific specifications. Structural comparisons and buyer guidance are editorial interpretation. Sources were checked October 3, 2026; supplier information can change.
- PubChem · chemical identity (opens new tab)
Official PUG REST identity record: formula, molecular weight, IUPAC name, and connectivity SMILES.
- PubChem · Salicylic Acid dissociation references (opens new tab)
Salicylic Acid compiled dissociation values; stated temperature and medium are retained. Unspecified conditions are not inferred.
- PubChem · applications (opens new tab)
Compiled application references; uses of derivatives are distinguished from direct use of the acid.
- Sigma-Aldrich · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence. Product-page safety information applies to the identified product and regional listing, not every grade or jurisdiction.
- TCI · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence. Product-page safety information applies to the identified product and regional listing, not every grade or jurisdiction.
- FUJIFILM Wako · commercial product (opens new tab)
Direct product listing checked October 3, 2026. Product-specific grade, assay, package, public price and documentation retrieval evidence. Product-page safety information applies to the identified product and regional listing, not every grade or jurisdiction.
- Benzoic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Primary comparison identity. Explanations of structural differences are editorial interpretation of verified identities.
- Mandelic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Lactic Acid · identity (opens new tab)
Related chemical identity; relevance is based on structure or the stated application relationship.
- Benzoic Acid · acid–base reference (opens new tab)
The primary comparison’s pKa source; reference conditions are preserved.
- OpenStax · Citric acid cycle (opens new tab)
Succinate and fumarate in the citric acid cycle; salts/ions are distinguished from purchased free acids.
- ILO/WHO · Salicylic acid ICSC 0563 (opens new tab)
Water solubility 2 g/L at 20 °C and melting point 159 °C. The card’s boiling value is pressure-qualified and is not used as an atmospheric boiling point here.
Review limits
The water-solubility reference is approximately 2 g/L at 20 °C. Titration and HPLC area specifications measure different attributes and are shown separately. UK and Japan prices remain separate market references.
This informational prototype is not a supplier, quotation service, or endorsement of a product’s fitness for an application. Buyers should verify the applicable specification, certification, and regulatory requirements for their intended use.