Salicylic acid has the following structure:

Since salicylic acid has both an alcohol functional group and a carboxylic acid functional group, it can undergo two different esterification reactions depending on which functional group reacts. For example, when treated with ethanoic acid (acetic acid), salicylic acid behaves as an alcohol and the ester produced is acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). On the other hand, when reacted with methanol, salicylic acid behaves as an acid and the ester methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen) is produced. Methyl salicylate is also an analgesic and part of the formulation of many liniments for sore muscles. What are the structures of acetylsalicylic acid and methyl salicylate?

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COH OH