Which chemical reaction produces ortho-hydroxybenzoic acid, the primary reaction product used as a raw material for medications?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) Kolbe’s reaction
Explanation: • Kolbe’s reaction converts phenol into salicylic acid (ortho-hydroxybenzoic acid). • It involves treating sodium phenoxide with CO₂ under pressure. • Acidification yields the ortho-substituted product. • It is an industrial method for producing salicylic acid. • Salicylic acid is widely used in manufacturing aspirin and other medicines.
Information Booster: • Salicylic acid is a key component in skincare (acne treatment) and pharmaceuticals. • Kolbe reaction demonstrates electrophilic substitution with CO₂ acting as electrophile.
Additional Knowledge: (b) Stephen reaction (Option b) • Used to convert nitriles to aldehydes, not related to salicylic acid.
(c) Reimer-Tiemann reaction (Option c) • Produces ortho-formyl phenols, not salicylic acid.
(d) Friedel-Crafts reaction (Option d) • Used for alkylation/acylation of aromatic rings.