Sodium salicylate CAS 54-21-7

Introduction to Sodium salicylate

Sodium salicylate is the sodium salt of 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, more commonly known as salicylic acid. It appears as white crystalline powder or glossy scaly crystals at room temperature, with a slightly sweet taste followed by a faint bitter aftertaste. It dissolves readily in water and glycerol, and shows good solubility in ethanol and other polar organic solvents.

Industrial production follows neutralization of salicylic acid with sodium hydroxide under tightly controlled pH conditions, followed by concentration, crystallization and drying for final purification. Aqueous solutions of the compound show weak alkalinity. It reacts with ferric salts to form characteristic violet complexes, a reaction widely adopted in analytical detection workflows. The compound exhibits antipyretic, analgesic and anti-rheumatic properties, and also delivers mild bacteriostatic and fungistatic effects.

Sodium salicylate Chemical & Physical Properties

Applications of Sodium salicylate

Pharmaceutical raw material: Used as an intermediate for antipyretic, analgesic and anti-rheumatic drug production. It also serves as a starting material for other active pharmaceutical ingredients and gout-related formulation components.

Cosmetic and personal care preservative: Incorporated into skin care, hair care and oral care products as a preservative booster. It inhibits growth of bacteria and fungi, and works synergistically with other preservative systems to extend product shelf life.

Analytical chemistry reagent: Applied in colorimetric detection of ferric ions and as a fluorescence reagent in biochemical assays. Its characteristic color reaction with iron provides a sensitive quantitative detection method.

Organic synthesis and dye intermediate: Used as a building block for manufacturing azo dyes, fragrance chemicals and other fine chemical derivatives.

Storage & Safety Precautions

• Store in tightly sealed fiber drums or polyethylene-lined paper bags, in a cool, dry and dark warehouse. Keep away from strong acids, iron salts and oxidizing agents. Protect from ambient moisture, as the material absorbs humidity easily.
• Wear safety goggles, dust masks and nitrile gloves during powder handling. Avoid inhalation of dust and prolonged skin contact. The compound may cause mild irritation to the respiratory tract and eye mucosa.
• Use stainless steel, glass or plastic equipment for solution preparation. Avoid long-term contact with iron or carbon steel containers, which may cause discoloration of product solutions. Handle bulk transfers in dust-controlled areas.

Sodium salicylate FAQ

Q: What primary pharmaceutical roles does Sodium salicylate serve?

A: It functions mainly as a raw material for antipyretic, analgesic and anti-rheumatic drug formulations. It also acts as an intermediate for other active pharmaceutical ingredient synthesis and supports gout-related product development.

Q: Can Sodium salicylate be used as a preservative in cosmetic products?

A: Yes. It delivers bacteriostatic and fungistatic effects and works as a preservative booster in skin care, hair care and oral care products. It pairs with other preservative systems to broaden antimicrobial coverage and extend finished product shelf life.

Q: What storage rules apply to industrial Sodium salicylate?

A: Store in sealed, moisture-proof containers in a cool dry warehouse away from strong acids, oxidizers and iron salts. Keep away from direct sunlight. Avoid prolonged iron contact to prevent violet discoloration of aqueous product solutions.