Phenol is used in the manufacture of drugs like Aspirin (2-Acetoxy-benzoic acid).
What is aspirin?
Aspirin is now the most commonly used drug in the world. Its role in preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease has been revolutionary and one of the last century’s biggest pharmaceutical success stories. Aspirin is prepared by chemical synthesis from salicylic acid through acetylation with acetic anhydride. The molecular weight of aspirin is 180.16g/mol. It is odourless, colourless to white crystals or crystalline powder.
- Aspirin has analgesic (reduces pain), anti-inflammatory (reduces redness and swelling), anti-platelet (reduces blood clots) and antipyretic (temperature reduction) effects.
- Alkaline urine speeds up the excretion of aspirin.
- Aspirin is an oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
