Name: China Manufacturer Supply High Quality Phenyl salicylate CAS 118-55-8
Brand: Wuhan Fortuna Chemical Co., Ltd.

Items	Specifications	Results
Appearance	White crystalline powder	White crystalline powder
Assay	≥99.0-100.5%	99.65%
Melting point	41~43℃	42℃
Chloride	≤100PPM	70PPM
Sulfate	≤100PPM	70PPM
Heavy metals	≤15PPM	10PPM
Ignition residue	≤0.10%	0.10%
Loss of drying	≤1%	0.45%
Conclusion	The product conforms to the above specifications.

Phenyl Salicylate (Salol)

Phenyl salicylate, commonly known by its historical trade name Salol, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C₁₃H₁₀O₃. It is the phenyl ester of salicylic acid. Structurally, it consists of a phenyl ring (benzene ring) attached via an ester linkage to a salicylate group.

Basic Properties:

Appearance: White, crystalline powder or colorless crystals.
Odor: Faint, characteristic, wintergreen-like odor.
Melting Point: ~43°C (109°F). It's known for its low melting point.
Key Characteristic: It is hydrolyzed in the small intestine, breaking down into salicylic acid and phenol.

Primary Uses and Applications

1. Historical Medicinal Use (Largely Obsolete)

This was its original and most famous use, pioneered by Marceli Nencki in the 1880s.

Enteric Coating/Prodrug: Salol's core medicinal property was that it remained intact in the acidic environment of the stomach but hydrolyzed in the alkaline environment of the small intestine. This served two purposes:

To protect the stomach from the direct irritant effect of salicylic acid.
To act as a prodrug for the systemic release of salicylic acid (an analgesic and antipyretic) and phenol (a mild antiseptic).

Why Obsolete? Safer, more effective drugs like acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and modern enteric coatings replaced it. The release of phenol, which is toxic in higher doses, was a significant downside.

2. Industrial and Non-Medicinal Uses

These are its main applications today:

Polymer Industry:

Ultraviolet Light Absorber & Light Stabilizer: It is added to plastics (like PVC, polyethylene, and acrylics) to absorb harmful UV radiation, preventing yellowing, degradation, and loss of mechanical strength.
Dye Carrier: Used in the dyeing of synthetic fibers.

Odor Agent & Perfumery:

Due to its mild, pleasant odor, it is used as a fixative in perfumes and soaps to slow the evaporation of more volatile fragrance components.
Sometimes labeled as a "fragrance ingredient."

Laboratory Reagent:

Used in chemical synthesis and as a standard in various laboratory experiments, particularly those demonstrating ester hydrolysis or pH-dependent reactions.

Medical Demonstrations:

Its pH-dependent hydrolysis is still used in educational settings (e.g., the "Salol Test") to illustrate how enteric coatings work or to roughly determine gastrointestinal transit time.

3. Niche/Specialized Applications

Sunscreen Preparations: Rarely, due to its UV-absorbing properties, though much more effective modern filters are standard.
Antiseptic in Topical Ointments: Very limited use, largely historical.

Key Points & Safety

Synthesis: It is typically produced by the esterification reaction of salicylic acid with phenol.
Safety: Generally considered low toxicity for external use in industrial applications. However, ingestion is hazardous due to the release of phenol. It can cause nausea, vomiting, tinnitus, and central nervous system effects. It is not meant for modern self-medication.
Regulatory Status: Approved for use in cosmetics and industrial applications within specified limits, but not as an active drug ingredient in modern pharmacopeias.

Summary Table of Uses

Category	Primary Use	Mechanism/Reason
Historical	Oral Analgesic/Antipyretic	Enteric prodrug releasing salicylic acid & phenol.
Industrial	UV Stabilizer for Plastics	Absorbs UV light, preventing polymer degradation.
Industrial	Fragrance Fixative & Odor Agent	Provides a mild, persistent wintergreen-like scent.
Industrial	Dye Carrier	Aids in dyeing synthetic fibers.
Educational	Laboratory Demonstration	Shows ester hydrolysis and enteric coating principles.

In essence, phenyl salicylate has transitioned from a pioneering 19th-century drug to a modern industrial chemical, primarily valued for its ability to protect plastics from sunlight and for its mild fragrance.