Title: Methyl Salicylate
CAS Registry Number: 119-36-8
CAS Name: 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester
Additional Names: wintergreen oil; betula oil; sweet birch oil; teaberry oil
Molecular Formula: C8H8O3
Molecular Weight: 152.15
Percent Composition: C 63.15%, H 5.30%, O 31.55%
Literature References: Present in leaves of Gaultheria procumbens L., Ericaceae, in the bark of Betula lenta L., Betulaceae; prepd by esterification of salicylic acid with methanol. Toxicity data: P. M. Jenner et al., Food Cosmet. Toxicol. 2, 327 (1964).
Properties: Colorless, yellowish or reddish, oily liq; odor and taste of gaultheria. mp -8.6°. bp 220-224°. d2525 1.184. d of the natural ester is ~1.180. nD20 1.535-1.538. Flash pt, closed cup: 210°F (99°C). Slightly sol in water: one gram in about 1500 ml; sol in chloroform, ether. Misc with alcohol, glacial acetic acid. LD50 orally in rats: 887 mg/kg (Jenner).
Melting point: mp -8.6°
Boiling point: bp 220-224°
Flash point: Flash pt, closed cup: 210°F (99°C)
Index of refraction: nD20 1.535-1.538
Density: d2525 1.184; d of the natural ester is ~1.180
Toxicity data: LD50 orally in rats: 887 mg/kg (Jenner)
CAUTION: Potential symptoms of overexposure are hyperpnea, apathy, lassitude; anorexia, nausea, vomiting, thirst; headache, dizziness, tinitis, difficulty with hearing and vision; confusion, irritability, mania, generalized convulsions; deep coma, death due to respiratory failure or cardiovascular collapse. Direct contact may cause irritation of skin and mucous membranes. See Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products, R. E. Gosselin et al., Eds. (Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 5th ed., 1984) Section II, p 205; Section III, pp 368-375.
Use: In perfumery; for flavoring candies, etc.
Therap-Cat: Counterirritant.
Therap-Cat-Vet: Counterirritant. |