Question

Identify the structural formula of aspirin.

• A.

  

• B.

  

• C.

  

• D.

  

Hint:

Aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid, with COOH and an acetoxy group on adjacent ring carbons.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Recall the name
Aspirin is 2-acetoxybenzoic acid, also called acetylsalicylic acid.

Step 2: Look for the groups
Look for a ring with a carboxylic acid and an ester (acetate) group in the ortho positions.

Step 3: Eliminate
Structures with a free phenolic -OH or with two ester groups on the ring are salicylic acid, methyl salicylate or dimethyl phthalate, not aspirin.

Final Answer:
The correct structure has -COOH and an acetoxy group next to each other on the ring. \[ \boxed{\text{(C) }\text{Structure with ortho -COOH and -OCOCH}_{3}\text{ groups}} \]