Nitration reaction: Salicylic acid is mixed with concentrated sulfuric acid and concentrated nitric acid, and the nitration reaction is carried out at low temperature to obtain nitrosalicylic acid. The reaction needs to be matched with conditions such as ice bath and slowly adding nitric acid to control the temperature and reaction rate.
Reducing denitrification: Nitrosalicylic acid is added to concentrated sulfuric acid and the nitro group is removed at high temperature to form 5-sulfosalicylic acid. A reducing agent (e.g., sodium sulfite) can be used in this step to facilitate the reaction.
Crystallization and purification: the desired 5-sulfosalicylic acid is extracted and purified from the reaction product by methods such as crystallization techniques or column chromatography.