The preparation of salicylic acid from phenol

Natural salicylic acid is
found in many plants, usually in the form of
methyl salicylate or oil of v.inter^reen
C^H fOH)COOOII-
6 4 3
The acid may be obtained from the
following plants: Gaulterla fragrantissima,
Gaulteria procumbeus, Gaulteria punctata,
Gaulterla leukocarpa, Betula lenta, Llonotropa
hypopitis, Spiraea ulmaria, Gloria superba and
from many other plants. The acid is also found
in very small quantities in some grapes, strav,-
berries, cherries and in fact in most fruits.
Salicylic acid may be prepared by one
of the following methods:
1. 3y oxidation of, or by fusion vfith
potassium hydroxide, or by electrolysis of one
of the following substances; salicin, salicyc
aldehyde, and saligenin.
2. 2y fusing potassium hydroxide with
one of the following substances; benzoic acid.