The development of Aspirin

Black willow Salix nigra

Herbalists have used extract of the bark of the willow (Salix spp.) to treat a variety of complaints.
The name salicin was given to the basic compound with a molecule incorporating 2 rings. One of these rings is equivalent to a glucose molecule, so this called a glycoside. A similar substance is produced by other plants, such as the Meadowsweet flower.

salicin

salicylic acid

By removing the glucose unit from salicin, a molecule with a single ring structure was obtained: salicylic acid (ortho hydroxy benzoic acid). This substance was not very effective as a drug.

aspirin

Aspirin is acetyl salicylic acid.
Hoffman added the acetyl group (CH₃CO -) to salicylic acid, improving the solubility.

meadowsweet in flower

Interestingly, the name aspirin - registered in 1899 - results from a for acetyl + spirin, meaning a substance obtained from Spiraea, which is the name which used to be given to the plant Meadowsweet.

Nowadays this plant is known as Filipendula ulmaria.

Aspirin is said to be

analgesic (painkiller),
anti-inflammatory (used to reduce inflammation),
antipyretic (used to relieve fever) and
an inhibitor of platelet aggregation.

Jmol-based molecular visualisation files on other web sites

Aspirin - molecule of the month (Paul May, University of Bristol, School of Chemistry, 1996.)

Background information about aspirin

What is aspirin? (Aspirin Foundation)

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