Amil-salicilat

Identity

Amyl salicylate (CAS 2050-08-0, C₁₂H₁₆O₃, MW 208.25) is a salicylate ester. Its IUPAC name is pentyl 2-hydroxybenzoate.

Salicylates

Salts and esters of salicylic acid are called salicylates. Salicylic acid, C₇H₆O₃, is a colourless or white solid and a precursor to aspirin, and its name comes from the Latin salix, willow tree, the source from which it was first identified. Methyl salicylate, the methyl ester, is a colourless, viscous liquid with a sweet, fruity odour reminiscent of root beer; many plants, particularly wintergreens, produce it, and it is also made synthetically. Benzyl salicylate, the benzyl ester, is a colourless oil.

Isomers and grades

The isoamyl isomer is 3-methylbutyl 2-hydroxybenzoate (CAS 87-20-7). Both isomers share the formula C₁₂H₁₆O₃ and the molecular weight 208.25. The typical product specification for amyl salicylate gives an assay of 99% minimum, as the sum of isomers. For isoamyl salicylate the assay is given as 98.00 to 100.00 % of the sum of isoamyl and amyl salicylate. One supplier lists amyl salicylate (sum above 98%) and isoamyl salicylate (sum of isomers above 99%) as separate products. Oxo-amyl salicylate and an FCC grade of isoamyl salicylate are also on the market. A research-grade isoamyl salicylate is noted as containing 2-methylbutyl salicylate, and a regulatory comment says the positional isomers in its composition remain to be identified.

Physical properties

The density of amyl salicylate is 1.053. A supplier sheet gives a higher boiling point than the PubChem record does: 277–278 °C. Reported Kovats retention indices range from 1507 to 1579 in one set of measurements and from 2055 to 2097 in another.

Solubility and occurrence

The measured solubility of amyl salicylate is 5 mg/L at 20 °C. It is insoluble in water and glycerol and soluble in alcohol and ether. Isoamyl salicylate has been isolated from fruit aromas.

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