Salicylic acid Salicylic acid Salicylic acid (from Latin "salix", "willow tree") is a lipophilic monohydroxybenzoic acid, a type of phenolic acid, and a beta hydroxy acid (BHA). It has the formula CHO. This colorless crystalline organic acid is widely used in organic synthesis and functions as a plant hormone. It is derived from the metabolism of salicin. In addition to serving as an important active metabolite of aspirin ("acetylsalicylic acid"), which acts in part as a prodrug to salicylic acid, it is probably best known for its use as a key ingredient in topical anti-acne products. The salts and esters of salicylic
Silicotungstic acid Silicotungstic acid Silicotungstic acid (also known as tungstosilicic acid) is the most commonly encountered heteropoly acid. It is a pale yellow solid with the chemical formula H[WSiO]. It is used as a catalyst in the chemical industry. Silicotungstic acid is used to manufacture ethyl acetate by the alkylation of acetic acid by ethylene: It has also been commercialized for the oxidation of ethylene to acetic acid: This route is claimed as a "greener" than methanol carbonylation. The heteropoly acid is dispersed on silica gel at 20-30 wt% to maximize catalytic ability. It has also recently been proposed as a mediator