How can I react methanol (CH3OH) with silicylic acid (C7H6O3)to produce methyl salicylate (C8H8O3)? I am trying to find the chemical equation.
So far I have this:
CH3OH+C7H6O3->C8H8O3+?
It is easier to see what is happening if you draw the complete structures. It is hard on here I know, it was also hard for the early chemists when they had to type set it! One way to do it is to write it as:
CH3OH + HO(C6H4)COOH -> HO(C6H4)3
So how do you make an ester from an acid + alcohol?