Question

How can phenol be converted to aspirin?

Answer 1

The reaction is usually carried out by allowing sodium phenoxide to absorb carbon dioxide and then heating the product to 400 K and 4-7 atm pressure. First unstable intermediate is formed which undergoes a proton shift to form sodium salicylate. The subsequent acidification of sodium salicylate gives salicylic acid.
So, the phenol is converted into salicylic acid. This salicylic acid is treated with acetic anhydride. On acetylation of salicylic acid, aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is formed