Salicylic Acid
The Salicylic Acid supplied by Chelora Chemicals — the direct precursor to aspirin and a cornerstone keratolytic in dermatological formulation — exported from Indonesia as fine white crystalline powder with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Salicylic Acid is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's phenolic-acid chemistry, how its two functional groups each drive a different major application, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Salicylic Acid carries a carboxylic acid group and a hydroxyl group on adjacent carbons of the benzene ring, a close pairing that allows the two groups to form an internal hydrogen bond and that gives the molecule its mild acidity, its characteristic reactivity, and its long-established place in both pharmaceutical synthesis and topical dermatology. Esterifying the hydroxyl group with acetic anhydride converts salicylic acid directly into acetylsalicylic acid, better known as aspirin, one of the most widely manufactured pharmaceutical actives in the world; used unmodified, the same molecule is itself a first-line topical keratolytic, dissolving the intercellular material that holds together excess keratin in acne, wart and callus treatment.
At room temperature it is a white to off-white crystalline powder, only slightly soluble in cold water but considerably more soluble in warm water, ethanol and ether. It has a mild, slightly sweetish odour in bulk and sublimes slowly if heated, a property occasionally exploited in purification but otherwise simply a storage consideration.
Where it fits in the value chain
Pharmaceutical-grade salicylic acid is acetylated with acetic anhydride to produce aspirin API, still among the highest-volume synthetic pharmaceutical actives manufactured worldwide despite its age. Independently of that route, salicylic acid itself is formulated directly into topical acne treatments, wart and callus removers, anti-dandruff shampoos and chemical exfoliant skincare, where its keratolytic action is the active mechanism. A further volume is esterified to methyl salicylate for topical analgesic liniments (wintergreen-type) and to other salicylate esters for preservative and fragrance chemistry.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Salicylic Acid in USP/EP/BP pharmacopoeial grade for API and topical pharmaceutical formulation, cosmetic-intermediate grade for skincare formulation, and technical grade for preservative and other industrial chemistry. Each grade is supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Salicylic Acid is produced
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
Salicylic Acid is produced industrially by the Kolbe-Schmitt reaction: phenol is first converted to sodium phenate (its sodium salt), which is then reacted with carbon dioxide under elevated temperature and pressure. The carboxylation occurs selectively at the ring position ortho to the phenate oxygen, favoured under the reaction's specific temperature conditions, giving sodium salicylate directly; acidifying this intermediate with mineral acid liberates the free salicylic acid, which is then purified by recrystallisation.
Controlling reaction temperature is the single most consequential process variable in the Kolbe-Schmitt step: at lower temperature the ortho (salicylate) product is favoured, while higher temperature increasingly favours the para isomer (4-hydroxybenzoic acid) instead, so producers run the carboxylation at a temperature window specifically chosen to maximise the desired ortho product. The final recrystallisation step is what brings the compound to pharmacopoeial purity, removing residual phenol, the para isomer and other trace by-products.
Industries and processes that use it
Salicylic Acid is consumed across aspirin API manufacture, topical dermatological formulation and preservative/fragrance ester chemistry. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid) API
Acetylated with acetic anhydride in a single step to produce aspirin, among the highest-volume synthetic pharmaceutical actives manufactured worldwide.
Topical Dermatological Formulation
Formulated directly into acne treatments, wart and callus removers, anti-dandruff shampoos and chemical exfoliants, where its keratolytic action is the working mechanism.
Methyl Salicylate & Ester Chemistry
Esterified to methyl salicylate for topical analgesic liniments and to other salicylate esters used in preservative and fragrance chemistry.
Preservative & Specialty Chemical Intermediate
Used as a starting material for other specialty pharmaceutical and industrial-chemical intermediates exploiting its phenolic-acid reactivity.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The adjacent hydroxyl/carboxylic-acid pairing governs almost all of Salicylic Acid's further reaction chemistry. The categories below account for most of the ways it is converted into a finished product.
O-Acetylation (to Aspirin)
The phenolic hydroxyl is acetylated with acetic anhydride, converting salicylic acid directly into acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) in a single, high-yielding step.
Esterification (Methyl Salicylate)
The carboxylic acid group is esterified with methanol, typically under acid catalysis, to produce methyl salicylate, the characteristic wintergreen-scented ester used in topical liniments.
Direct Topical Formulation
Incorporated unmodified into creams, gels, shampoos and solutions, where it acts directly as a keratolytic without further chemical transformation.
Chlorination/Further Substitution
The aromatic ring can undergo further substitution reactions (such as chlorination) to produce specialty derivatives for other pharmaceutical and agrochemical intermediate synthesis.
Salicylic Acid against a related phenolic intermediate and reagent we supply
Buyers sourcing Salicylic Acid often also need a related phenolic specialty intermediate, or the reagent used to convert it to an acid chloride for further synthesis. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salicylic Acid | 69-72-7 | Phenolic acid | The product on this page — the direct precursor to aspirin and a dermatological keratolytic. |
| Guaiacol | 90-05-1 | Phenolic ether | A related phenolic specialty intermediate used in pharma and fragrance chemistry — see its product page. |
| Thionyl Chloride | 7719-09-7 | Chlorinating reagent | Commonly used to convert this and other carboxylic acids to the corresponding acid chloride for further synthesis — see its product page. |
| Benzene | 71-43-2 | Aromatic hydrocarbon | The ultimate aromatic feedstock, via phenol, this compound is derived from — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than Salicylic Acid.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Harmful if swallowed.
Causes skin irritation.
Causes serious eye damage.
May cause respiratory irritation.
Chemical-resistant gloves, safety glasses and a dust mask are the baseline for routine handling.
Minimise airborne dust during milling and packing; avoid inhalation of fine powder.
Warning
This product is harmful if swallowed, causes skin irritation and serious eye damage on contact, and may cause respiratory irritation if its fine powder is inhaled. Routine handling calls for chemical-resistant gloves, eye protection and a dust mask, with adequate ventilation during milling and packing. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and should be read in full before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a cool, dry area in tightly closed containers, away from strong oxidising agents and heat sources, since the material can sublime slowly if warmed. Salicylic Acid is otherwise a comparatively stable compound with a long shelf life relative to many of the other intermediates in our catalogue. Re-check assay and melting point on a batch held past its retest date before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of Salicylic Acid leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay, colour and key physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is Salicylic Acid used for?+
02How is Salicylic Acid produced?+
03What grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
04Is Salicylic Acid hazardous?+
05Why does reaction temperature matter so much in salicylic acid's Kolbe-Schmitt synthesis?+
06What packing options are available?+
07How long does delivery take?+
08Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
09Do you supply related phenolic intermediates and reagents as well?+
10What is the minimum order quantity?+
Need Salicylic Acid on spec, on time?
Send us your required grade (pharmacopoeial/cosmetic/technical), quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.