6-Methylsalicylic acid is an organic compound with the formula CH3C6H3(CO2H)(OH). It is a white solid that is soluble in basic water and in polar organic solvents. At neutral pH, the acid exists as 6-methylsalicylate. Its functional groups include a carboxylic acid and a phenol group. It is one of four isomers of methylsalicylic acid.
It occurs naturally, being a biosynthetic precursor to m-cresol. Its decarboxylation is catalyzed by 6-methylsalicylate decarboxylase: 6-methylsalicylate ⇌ m-cresol + CO2
See also 5-Methylsalicylic acid 4-Methylsalicylic acid 3-Methylsalicylic acid
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