Which of the following compounds is known as oil of winter green?

Options

A. Phenyl benzoate
B. Phenyl salicylate
C. Phenyl acetate
D. Methyl saliycylate

Answer

D

Explanation

Methyl salicylate, methyl `(2-"hydroxybenzoate")` is a colourless liquid `(bp 224^(@)C, mp-8.6^(@)C)`.

It exists in an almost pure state in the essential oils of wintergreen and sweet brich but is mostly prepared by esterifying salicylic acid

It has a pleasant characteristic odour and is readily absorbed thruogh the skin. It is used in perfumery and as a flavouring agent in food, drinks, dentifrices and cosmetics. It has the general medicinal properties of the salicylates and is applied either alone or with other analgesics for easing the pain of lumbago, rheumatism and sciatica. sodium salicylate is also used in the treatment of rheumatism.