API Intermediate · Aspirin KSM · Skin-Care Active
Salicylic Acid CAS No. 69-72-7 Supplier for India’s Pharma & Cosmetic Makers
Salicylic acid (2-hydroxybenzoic acid), the key starting material for Aspirin and one of the most used actives in acne and scalp care. Supplied in IP, BP, USP and EP grades by Chelora Pharmachem, Mumbai, and delivered across India with a batch COA and SDS.
- CAS No.
- 69-72-7
- Formula
- C7H6O3
- Molar mass
- 138.12 g/mol
- EC No.
- 200-712-3
How Buying Works
From Enquiry to Your Plant in Four Steps
- Step 1
Share your requirement
Send the quantity, grade (IP, BP, USP, EP or technical), delivery city and target date. Quote CAS 69-72-7 so there is no confusion.
- Step 2
Get a clear quotation
Price, lead time and packing in one reply, with the specification, COA and SDS/MSDS for your QA team to review.
- Step 3
Sample and approval
Samples can be arranged for QC testing, formulation trials and vendor qualification before your commercial order.
- Step 4
Dispatch with documents
Packed, labelled and sent with invoice, batch COA and transport documents. Repeat orders are planned with you.
Product Overview
What Is Salicylic Acid (CAS 69-72-7)?
Salicylic acid (2-hydroxybenzoic acid, o-hydroxybenzoic acid; CAS 69-72-7) is an aromatic acid with a carboxylic acid group (–COOH) and a hydroxyl group (–OH) on neighbouring carbons of a benzene ring. It is a white crystalline powder or colourless needle-like crystals, and it is the direct precursor of Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid).
Salicylic acid is also a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) with keratolytic action, which is why it appears in anti-acne face washes, dandruff shampoos and wart and corn removers. Its salts and esters, such as sodium salicylate and methyl salicylate, are made from it, and it is used in dyes, rubber chemicals and fine-chemical synthesis.
As a chemical supplier in Mumbai, Chelora Pharmachem supplies pharmacopoeia-grade and technical-grade salicylic acid to API, formulation and cosmetic manufacturers across India, with a batch-wise COA, SDS/MSDS and specification. We also supply 4-Aminophenol, the starting material for Paracetamol.
In Depth
More About Salicylic Acid (CAS 69-72-7)
Structure and chemical nature
Salicylic acid is the ortho isomer of hydroxybenzoic acid. The –OH and –COOH groups sit side by side and form an internal hydrogen bond, which makes it a stronger acid than benzoic acid and gives it a relatively low water solubility. It is a weak organic acid that forms salts with bases and esters with alcohols.
Reactivity in synthesis
Acetylating the phenolic –OH with acetic anhydride gives Aspirin. Esterifying the –COOH group with methanol gives methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen), and neutralising it gives sodium or other salicylate salts. It gives a violet colour with ferric chloride, a classic identity test, and decarboxylates to phenol when strongly heated.
How it is manufactured
Commercial salicylic acid is made by the Kolbe–Schmitt reaction: sodium phenoxide is heated with carbon dioxide under pressure to form sodium salicylate, which is then acidified with sulphuric acid. The crude acid is purified by recrystallisation or sublimation to reach pharmacopoeia quality.
Role in Aspirin production
Aspirin is made by acetylating salicylic acid, then crystallising and drying the product. Pharmacopoeias limit free salicylic acid in finished Aspirin, so reaction control matters, and the purity and colour of the incoming salicylic acid affect yield and the purification load.
What buyers should check
Confirm the grade first (IP, BP, USP or EP), then compare assay, appearance, melting range, loss on drying, sulphated ash, heavy metals and related substances such as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and phenol. Cosmetic formulators often also specify particle size. Ask for the COA and SDS of the actual batch.
Buying salicylic acid in India
Chelora Pharmachem supplies salicylic acid (CAS 69-72-7) from its centralized sales office in Mumbai to API, formulation, cosmetic and specialty-chemical manufacturers across India. Share the grade, quantity, packing and delivery location, and our team replies with price, lead time and documents, from trial lots to regular bulk supply.
Global Sourcing
Sourced Abroad, Delivered to Your Gate
Our focus is the Indian market. When local supply is short, or you need a specific origin or pharmacopoeia grade, our international sourcing desk brings salicylic acid in from trusted producers abroad, and our Mumbai team handles import, documents and delivery to your plant.
- Worldwide sourcing
- Trusted international producers, with the import paperwork handled for you.
- One sales desk in Mumbai
- Quotation, specification, COA, SDS and delivery planning from one team.
- PAN India dispatch
- Road dispatch to every major pharma, cosmetic and chemical cluster in India.
Product Profile
Salicylic Acid at a Glance
The identifiers and properties purchase and QA teams ask for first. Batch values are always confirmed on the COA.
Identity
CAS 69-72-7
EC 200-712-3. Also sold as 2-hydroxybenzoic acid or o-hydroxybenzoic acid.
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C7H6O3
138.12 g/mol. A benzene ring with –COOH and –OH on neighbouring carbons.
Appearance
White crystals
White crystalline powder or colourless needles. Slowly discolours in sunlight.
Solubility
≈ 0.2 g / 100 mL
In water at 25 °C, far more in hot water. Freely soluble in ethanol.
Technical Data
Physical and Chemical Properties
Reference data for salicylic acid, useful when writing a specification, checking an SDS or planning storage and transport.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name | 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid |
| Synonyms | Salicylic acid, o-hydroxybenzoic acid, 2-carboxyphenol |
| CAS number | 69-72-7 |
| EC number | 200-712-3 |
| PubChem CID | 338 |
| Molecular formula | C7H6O3 |
| Molar mass | 138.12 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder or colourless, needle-like crystals; slowly discolours in sunlight |
| Odour | Odourless; the dust is irritating to the nose and throat |
| Melting point | About 159 °C (pharmacopoeia range 158–161 °C) |
| Boiling point | About 211 °C at 20 mmHg; sublimes from about 76 °C |
| Density | About 1.44 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | About 0.2 g per 100 mL at 25 °C; much more soluble in boiling water |
| Other solvents | Freely soluble in ethanol, acetone and diethyl ether; sparingly soluble in methylene chloride |
| Acidity (pKa) | 2.97 (carboxylic acid group) and about 13.6 (phenol group) |
| HS code | 2918.21 |
| Transport | Generally not regulated as a dangerous good for road, sea or air; confirm with the batch SDS |
Literature values for reference. Supplied material is tested batch-wise and reported on the COA.
Applications
Uses of Salicylic Acid (CAS 69-72-7)
Its best-known job is Aspirin. The same molecule is a core skin-care and scalp-care active, and the building block for salicylate salts, esters and dyes.
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Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid) API
Salicylic acid is the starting material for Aspirin: acetylating it with acetic anhydride gives the API. By molar mass, about 0.77 kg goes into every kilogram of Aspirin, before process losses.
Key starting material (KSM)
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Skin Care and Anti-Acne Products
A beta hydroxy acid that loosens dead skin cells and clears pores, used in face washes, toners, serums and spot treatments for acne-prone skin. Permitted concentrations depend on the market and product type, so formulators work to the limits that apply to them.
Cosmetic & OTC active
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Dermatology and Scalp Care
Its keratolytic action is used in anti-dandruff shampoos, psoriasis and seborrhoea preparations, and wart and corn removers, from topical creams and ointments to medicated plasters.
Topical formulations
-
Salicylate Salts and Esters
The raw material for sodium salicylate, methyl salicylate (used in pain-relief balms and flavours) and other salicylates, and an intermediate in further pharmaceutical synthesis, from trial lots to bulk.
Pharma intermediate
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Dyes, Rubber and Fine Chemicals
An intermediate for azo dyes and mordant dyes, a retarder in rubber vulcanisation, and a building block for other aromatic fine chemicals made by dye and specialty-chemical producers.
Industrial intermediate
Quality & Compliance
Documents Your QA Team Can Approve
Every supply is backed by the documents your QA, regulatory and stores teams expect.
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Certificate of Analysis
COA, batch-wise
Tests, limits and results for the exact batch you receive, against the pharmacopoeia you ordered.
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Safety Data Sheet
SDS / MSDS
Hazards, safe handling, storage, transport and first-aid measures for salicylic acid.
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Specification and TDS
Technical data
Typical properties and the specification we supply against, to match with your in-house spec.
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Vendor Qualification
On request
Additional documents for vendor approval and audits can be arranged on request.
Safety & Handling
Handling Salicylic Acid Safely
A short summary for stores, production and EHS teams. It does not replace the Safety Data Sheet supplied with every batch.
Hazard classification
Harmful if swallowed, causes serious eye damage, and suspected of damaging the unborn child under the EU harmonised classification. Signal word: Danger. Check the SDS of the batch for the classification that applies.
H302H318H361d
Personal protection
Tight-fitting safety goggles are essential, plus gloves and a dust mask or respirator where dust can form. Use local exhaust ventilation, and do not eat, drink or smoke while handling.
Storage
Keep containers tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated store, protected from light and away from strong oxidising agents, strong bases and iron salts.
Dust and transport
Fine dust can form explosive mixtures with air, so avoid dust clouds and ignition sources. Salicylic acid is generally not classified as a dangerous good for transport.
Spills and environment
Avoid raising dust, sweep spilled material into closed containers for disposal, and keep it out of drains, soil and water courses.
PAN India Delivery
Delivered Across India
From our centralized sales office in Mumbai, we supply salicylic acid to buyers in every major manufacturing cluster.
Mumbai
Maharashtra
Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Tarapur, Boisar, Pune and Aurangabad.
Ahmedabad
Gujarat
Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Ankleshwar and Vapi.
Hyderabad
Telangana & Andhra Pradesh
Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam.
Baddi
Himachal Pradesh & Uttarakhand
Baddi and Haridwar.
Goa
Goa
Pharma and chemical units across Goa.
Bengaluru
Karnataka & Tamil Nadu
Bengaluru and Chennai.
Indore
Madhya Pradesh & Sikkim
Indore, Pithampur and Sikkim.
Specification
Typical Specification of Salicylic Acid (CAS 69-72-7)
A typical specification for pharmacopoeia-grade salicylic acid (IP / BP / USP / EP). Share your in-house or pharmacopoeia specification and we quote against it.
- Appearance
- White crystals or crystalline powder, or colourless needles
- Complies
- Identification
- IR spectrum; violet colour with ferric chloride
- Complies
- Assay
- Acid-base titration, on the dried basis
- 99.5–101.0%
- Melting range
- Capillary method
- 158–161 °C
- Loss on drying
- Moisture and volatile matter
- ≤ 0.5%
- Sulphated ash
- Residue on ignition
- ≤ 0.05%
- Heavy metals
- As per the ordered pharmacopoeia
- ≤ 20 ppm
- Related substances
- 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxyisophthalic acid, phenol
- As per pharmacopoeia
- Packing
- HDPE bags or fibre drums with an inner PE liner
- As per order
The Chemistry
From Phenol to Aspirin
Made
By the Kolbe–Schmitt reaction
Sodium phenoxide reacts with carbon dioxide under heat and pressure to give sodium salicylate. Acidifying it with sulphuric acid releases salicylic acid, which is then purified to the grade required.
Used
Acetylated into Aspirin
Acetic anhydride puts an acetyl group on the phenolic oxygen, giving 2-acetoxybenzoic acid: Aspirin. Free salicylic acid is a controlled impurity in the finished API, so purity going in matters.
Tested
Checked before it ships
Each batch is reported on a COA covering appearance, identification, assay, melting range, loss on drying, ash, heavy metals and related substances, so your QC team can release it quickly.
Stored
Dry, sealed and dark
It slowly discolours in sunlight and reacts with iron to form coloured complexes. Keep bags and drums closed, cool and dry, and follow the SDS for handling and protective equipment.
Glossary
Key Terms for Salicylic Acid Buyers
Terms you will meet on quotations, specifications and documents for salicylic acid.
- KSM
- Key Starting Material: a raw material that forms a significant part of an API’s structure, as salicylic acid does for Aspirin.
- BHA (beta hydroxy acid)
- A class of skin-care acids. Salicylic acid is the main BHA used in cosmetics, valued because it is oil-soluble and works inside pores.
- Keratolytic
- Able to soften and loosen the outer layer of skin, which is how salicylic acid helps with acne, dandruff, warts and corns.
- Kolbe–Schmitt reaction
- The industrial route to salicylic acid: carboxylating sodium phenoxide with carbon dioxide under pressure, then acidifying.
- Ortho (o-) position
- Two groups on neighbouring carbons of a benzene ring, which is what the “2-” and “o-” in 2-hydroxybenzoic acid mean.
- IP / BP / USP / EP
- The Indian, British, United States and European Pharmacopoeias, which set the quality standards for pharma-grade material.
- COA
- Certificate of Analysis: a batch-specific document listing the tests performed, the limits and the results.
- Related substances
- Process impurities, such as 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxyisophthalic acid and phenol, that are limited on the specification.
FAQ
Questions Buyers Ask Us
Anything else, call +91 98191 11179 or write to source@chelorapharmachem.com.
Request a QuoteWhat is Salicylic Acid used for?
Salicylic acid (CAS 69-72-7) is the starting material for Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). It is also a widely used active in anti-acne skin care, anti-dandruff shampoos and wart and corn removers, and an intermediate for salicylate salts and esters, dyes and rubber chemicals.
What is the CAS number of Salicylic Acid?
The CAS number is 69-72-7. Its formula is C7H6O3 and its molar mass is 138.12 g/mol. Quoting the CAS number on your enquiry avoids confusion with its isomers, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid.
Is salicylic acid the same as 2-hydroxybenzoic acid?
Yes. Salicylic acid, 2-hydroxybenzoic acid and o-hydroxybenzoic acid are names for the same substance, CAS 69-72-7.
What is the difference between salicylic acid and Aspirin?
Aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid, made by acetylating the hydroxyl group of salicylic acid with acetic anhydride. Salicylic acid is the raw material; Aspirin is the finished API, with its own CAS number (50-78-2) and uses.
How much salicylic acid is needed per kg of Aspirin?
In theory about 0.77 kg, from the molar masses: 138.12 g/mol for salicylic acid and 180.16 g/mol for Aspirin. Real consumption is a little higher, depending on your process yield.
Which grades of salicylic acid do you supply?
We supply pharmacopoeia grades to IP, BP, USP and EP, as well as technical grade for industrial use, subject to availability. Tell us the grade and any particle-size requirement when you enquire.
How should Salicylic Acid be stored?
Keep it in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry and well-ventilated store, protected from light and away from strong oxidising agents, strong bases and iron. Follow the storage section of the SDS supplied with the batch.
What is the HS code for Salicylic Acid?
Salicylic acid is generally classified under HS subheading 2918.21, which covers salicylic acid and its salts. Confirm the full national tariff code with your customs broker before import or export.
Is Salicylic Acid hazardous?
Yes. It is harmful if swallowed, causes serious eye damage and is suspected of damaging the unborn child, and its fine dust can form explosive mixtures with air. Read the SDS before handling, and use eye protection, gloves and dust control.
Is Salicylic Acid a dangerous good for transport?
Salicylic acid is generally not regulated as a dangerous good for road, sea or air transport. Always check the transport section of the SDS supplied with the batch.
Which documents come with each supply?
We provide a batch-wise Certificate of Analysis (COA), SDS/MSDS and specifications. Additional documents for vendor qualification can be arranged on request.
Can I order trial or sample quantities?
Yes. We handle requirements from samples and trial lots for R&D, formulation and vendor approval up to regular bulk supply for commercial production, subject to product availability.
Where in India do you deliver Salicylic Acid?
We supply buyers across India, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim, from our centralized sales office in Mumbai.
How do I request a quotation?
Email source@chelorapharmachem.com or source@cheloragroup.com, call +91 98191 11179, or use the enquiry form on this page. Include the quantity, grade, delivery location and target date.
Request a Quote
Need Salicylic Acid (CAS 69-72-7) for Your Plant?
Tell us the quantity, grade and delivery location. Our centralized sales team replies with competitive pricing, lead time and documentation.
- Sales office
- Level 1, 102, Ashok Premises, Nicolas Wadi Rd, Gundavali Gaothan, Andheri East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400069
- Phone
- +91 98191 11179 (centralized sales)
- Delivery
- PAN India, with worldwide sourcing