Salicylic Acid: Properties, Uses and History

Salicylic Acid Properties, Uses and HistorySalicylic acid is found naturally in the bark of the leave aloneow tree. It has been expendd for centuries to tranquillize a variety of ailments. It has also been developed in a variety of products in the atomic number 18as of skin cargon, cosmetics and stomach relief. Salicylic acid is a wonder drug. But what are its physical and chemic properties? What chemical reactions are employ in manufacturing and using salicylic acid? Does it represent any safety risks to society and the environment?Salicylic acid was discover by the Greek physician Hippocrates in the 5th century BC.1He found that the bitter powder extracted from wil measly bark could relieve aches and hurts and slue fevers.2The remedy is also mentioned in writings from ancient Sumer, Lebanon, and Assyria. Cherokee and other Native Ameri force outs used the bark for fever and other medicinal purposes for centuries. The medicinal part of the define is the inner bark. It is u sed as a pain reliever for a variety of ailments. The reverend Edward Stone from Oxfordshire, England found in 1763 that willow bark was useable in reducing fever.The active extract of the bark is called Salicin, after the Latin name of the white willow (salix alba).3The extract was isolated and named by Johann Buchner in Germany in 1826. A spectacularr amount of the substance was isolated in 1828 by the French pharmacists, Hanri Laroux.4The Italian chemist, Raffaele Piria was able to convert the extract into a chemical which develop salicylic acid when it oxidises.5In 1839, Salicylic acid was also extracted by German researchers from the herb meadowsweet (Filpendula ulmaria). This extract was effective but it growd digestive problems such as gastric irritation, bleeding, looseness and death if consumed in lofty doses.6UsesSalicylic Acid is still used today to ease aches and pains and to reduce fevers. It was used as an anti-inflammatory drug flat in ancient times.Salicylic i s a main ingredient in many skin care products treating acne, psoriasis, calluses, corns, keratosis pilaris and warts. Salicylic acid kit and caboodle as a keratolytic and comedolytic agent. It causes the electric cells of the epidermis to take more easily, opening clogged pores and neutralizing bacteria within. It dirty dog also prevent pores from clogging up again by constricting pore diameter, and allowing for new cell growth. Due to its effect on skin cells, salicylic acid is used in some shampoos to treat dandruff.PropertiesSalicylic Acid has the appearance of a colourless crystalline powder. It is odorless or may have a slight phenolic odour.7It has a sweetish taste.8It has a melting point of 159C and a sublimation point of 76C. Its relative density is 1.4 compared to water which has a relative density of 1. Its solubility in water is 0.2 g/100 ml at 20C.9It is soluble in alcohol, ether, boiling water.10It has a pH of 2.4.It is a polar molecule which explains its low solub ility in water. It was a molar mass of 138.1 g/mol. Its chemical formula is C6H4(OH)COOH and an empirical formula of C7H6O3. It will auto-ignite at as low as 540C. It is a relatively stable compound but oxidizing agents, strong bases, iodine, and farad may cause strong reactions.11It is also sensitive to light. It can be harmful if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin. It is an irritant.Manufacturing Salicylic AcidSalicylic acid forms in temper in Salix, the bark of the willow tree. While the powder extracted from the bark could be sold today, it rarely is because it purity is not constant.To make salicylic acid in a lab, chemists can put sodium phenoxide and carbon dioxide under high pressurization.12Once this mixture is acidified using sulphuric acid, salicylic acid will result. This process is called a Kolbe-Schmitt reaction. This rule results in much purer and more consistent product that can be used of pharmaceutical or commercial preparations.Using Salicylic AcidSalic ylic acid works on skin by softening keratin, one of the proteins in the skin structure. With the keratin softened, the skin sheds easier. When being used for warts the skin is softened and the wart can fall off. When being used for acne, the increased shedding prevents clogging in the pore.Medications like salicylic acid are called keratolytics because they can soften and facilitate the exfoliation of epidermal cells. Salicylic acid is also a comedolytic medication because it can break up comedones and open clogged pores.Salicylic Acid, when taken orally, is also an analgesic and an anti-inflammatory. It can relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Salicylic acid blocks the production of certain hormones called prostaglandins that are released from damaged cells. Prostaglandins, if not blocked, trigger the release of other hormones that cause the nerves to be sensitive to pain. By blocking prostaglandins, the pain and inflammation are significantly reduced.Economic BenefitsThere are many economic benefits to manufacturing salicylic acid. Since it relives aches, reduces fevers and is anti-inflammatory, it can help reduce the time stack miss at school and at work. For employers, students and the entire economy this is a benefit. With people being in less pain and not suffering from fevers and swelling, visits to the infirmary and doctors office will be reduced. This will ease the load on the medical system. One can imagine how high the sales of aspirin are and this would not be possible without salicylic acid. There is obviously also a tremendous economic benefit to the manufacture of many skin care products that use salicylic acid. Acne, wart, psoriasis, calluses, corns and keratosis are very common ailments therefore sales of the skin care products would be very high. There is money to be made in the orbit of cosmetics with products to exfoliate epidermal cells and open clogged pores. In addition to this, sales of dandruff shampoo and stomach aids (both of wh ich contain salicylic acid or its derivatives), must be very high.The history of salicylic acid represents continual technological development. What started as a simple extract from the willow tree became many useful products over the centuries. passim history chemists have worked hard to develop additional uses for salicylic acid. Chemists discovered its anti-inflammatory properties. These properties have been researched and have helped the development of modern anti-inflammatory medications.SafetySalicylic acid can be harmful if inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through skin. If inhaled, it can cause effects such as coughing, sneezing and shortness of breath. If ingested in a large amount salicylism may result which is characterised by abdominal pain, vomiting, mental disturbances and increased respiration.13It is a mild irritant and may cause a skin reckless in individuals that are sensitive to it. Salicylic acid is an extreme eye irritant which was shown in animal testing.14Chron ic exposure to salicylic acid can cause rally nervous disturbances as serious as convulsions. It may cause harm to an unborn child although the effects of salicylic acid during pregnancy have not been richly investigated. The salicylic acid used topically is usually very diluted at only 2% or used in a very microscopical amount. Plus the amount absorbed through the skin is very low. Therefore the risk to an individual applying it topically is minimal.Salicylic acid should be stored in a tightly closed container that is stored in a cool, dry and ventilated place. It should be protected from physical damage and kept away from any source of heat, ignition or oxidizing materials. Care should be takes to avoid dust formation as it can ignite. Empting the contents of a salicylic acid container should be done with care as empting it into an gloriole where flammable vapours are present can cause a flash fire. Salicylic acid should always be stored in the dark.When salicylic acid is rele ased into soil it will quickly biodegrade. The same will occur when it is released into water. Because it quickly biodegrade, there is not a major environmental effect of salicylic acid. However, it should be still given up of properly. The low concentrations that are found in many skin care products can be disposed of in the garbage. With Large concentrations or large amounts of salicylic acid, they should be disposed of carefully. They should be brought to a licenced waste disposal contractor that observes all local and national regulations.15Other Interesting Facts about Salicylic AcidSalicylic acid has been used as a food preservative. It works as one because of its antiseptic properties. It has to be used in very small doses because of its toxicity at high doses. It is no longer used as a food preservative anymore because of concerns with using any antiseptics in human food.16Salicylic acid can cause ear damage when taken orally because it inhibits prestin. This only happens i n people with a zinc deficiency. However if zinc is injected, the hearing loss can be reversed.17Salicylic acid, was once the worlds bestselling drug in 1898.18Salicylic acid is also a plant hormone that causes an increase in growth, flowering and heat production.19It is clear that salicylic acid is a very valuable substance. It has many uses and applications in medicine and cosmetics. It was been available to us for centuries. Salicylic acid is an odourless, colourless crystalline powder. It can react with certain chemicals. It is manufactured in a Kolbe-Schmitt reaction and it is used to soften the skin making it good for treating many ailments. Salicylic acid must be stored safely and disposed of properly.