Why does salicylic acid have a higher melting point than aspirin?
Hi, salycilic acid is 2-hydroxy benzoic acid. In aspirin (assuming you mean the pure compound and not the tablet with the other parts of the formulation), the hydroxyl group is part of an ester of acetic acid. Salycilic acid has a higher melting point than the ester as the crystal lattice forms stronger bonds between the molecules, and so needs more heat or energy to melt it.
