Salicylaldehyde

Preparation

Salicylaldehyde is synthesized from phenol, chloroform, and alkali according to the Reimer–Tiemman method, which was developed in 1876. starting material for the manufacture of coumarin.

Synthesis Reference(s)

Synthetic Communications, 24, p. 1757, 1994 DOI: 10.1080/00397919408010181

Reactivity Profile

Salicylaldehyde is an aldehyde. Aldehydes are frequently involved in self-condensation or polymerization reactions. These reactions are exothermic; they are often catalyzed by acid. Aldehydes are readily oxidized to give carboxylic acids. Flammable and/or toxic gases are generated by the combination of aldehydes with azo, diazo compounds, dithiocarbamates, nitrides, and strong reducing agents. Aldehydes can react with air to give first peroxo acids, and ultimately carboxylic acids. These autoxidation reactions are activated by light, catalyzed by salts of transition metals, and are autocatalytic (catalyzed by the products of the reaction). The addition of stabilizers (antioxidants) to shipments of aldehydes retards autoxidation.

Health Hazard

Salicylaldehyde is a skin irritant; 500 mg/daycaused moderate irritation to rabbit skin. Itcan have injurious effects on fertility. Studieson rats indicate that subcutaneous administrationof salicylaldehyde in a high doseof >400 mg/kg can produce developmentalabnormalities, fetal death, and postimplantationmortality.The toxicity of this compound, however,is low. No toxic symptoms were noted.LD50 value, oral (rats): 520 mg/kgLD50 value, skin (rats): 600 mg/kg.

Fire Hazard

Combustible. Can react with oxidizing materials.

Purification Methods

It is precipitated as the bisulfite addition compound by pouring the aldehyde slowly and with stirring into a 25% solution of NaHSO3 in 30% EtOH, then standing for 30minutes. The precipitate, after filtering at the pump, and washing with EtOH, is decomposed with aqueous 10% NaHCO3, and the aldehyde is extracted into diethyl ether, dried with Na2SO4 or MgSO4, and distilled, under reduced pressure. Alternatively, salicylaldehyde is precipitated as its Cu complex by adding it to warm, saturated aqueous Cu(OAc)2, shaking and standing in ice. The precipitate is filtered off, washed with EtOH, then Et2O, and decomposed with 10% H2SO4; the aldehyde is extracted into Et2O, dried and vacuum distilled. It was also purified by dry column chromatography on Kieselgel G [Nishiya et al. J Am Chem Soc 108 3880 1986]. The acetyl derivative has m 38-39o (from pet ether or EtOH) and b 142o/18mm, 253o/atm. [Beilstein 8 IV 176.] The oxime, [94-67-7] M 137.1, crystallises CHCl3/pet ether (b 40-60o) with m 57o [Beilstein 8 IV 203.]

Waste Disposal

Salicylaldehyde is burned in a chemicalincinerator equipped with an afterburner andscrubber.

Definition

ChEBI: Salicylaldehyde is a hydroxybenzaldehyde carrying a hydroxy substituent at position 2. It has a role as a nematicide and a plant metabolite.

Taste threshold values

Taste characteristics at 20 ppm: spicy, medicinal and astringent

General Description

Liquid; colorless or pale yellow; bitter almond odor. Sinks and mixes slowly in water.