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Question:

What happens when salicylic acid is treated with (CH3CO)2O/H+?

Solution:

When salicylic acid is treated with (CH3CO)2O in the presence of H+ (acid), acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) is produced. The reaction is known as acetylation. C6H4(COOH)(OH) (Salicylic acid) + (CH3CO)2O + H+ → CH3COOH + C6H4(COOH)(OCOCH3) (Acetylsalicylic acid)