Isopropyl salicylate is a colorless, transparent liquid. The industrial product is a light yellow to reddish-brown oily liquid with a distinctive aromatic odor. Its bp is 240-248°C/2.26 kPa, n20D is 1.511, and its relative density is 1.090-1.100. It is insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. It decomposes in alkaline solutions.
2-Hydroxy-3-isopropylbenzoic acid may be used in the preparation of 3-isopropylgentisic acid.
2-Hydroxy-3-isopropylbenzoic acid is an analog of general anesthetic compound, propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol). It was investigated for general anesthetic activity in Xenopus laevis tadpoles and for the ability to produce enhancement of submaximal GABA responses.
