Aspirin has the structural formula below. Which functional groups does this molecule contain?

I. Acid II. Alcohol III. Ester IV. Ether

I have no way of posting the structure, but it is on google images! If you type in aspirin structural formula, it's the first one.

Answer is I and II. Please explain why!! I haven't been taught about organic chemistry..! THANKS!

Asirin (acetyl salicylic acid)is formed when salicylic acid reacts with acetic acid in a strong acid medium.This reaction converts the hydroxyl group on the salicylic acid to an ester while the benzoic acid group on the salicylic acid survives the reaction.

Therefore, the answers to the posted question are:

I Acid and III Ester.

Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid, contains two functional groups: acid (carboxylic acid) and alcohol (hydroxyl) groups.

To understand why these functional groups are present in aspirin, let's break down the structure of the molecule:

The main part of the aspirin molecule consists of a benzene ring, which is a six-membered carbon ring with alternating double bonds. At position 1 of the benzene ring, there is a carboxylic acid group (COOH), which is the acid functional group. This group consists of a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to a hydroxyl group (OH). The presence of the carboxylic acid group gives aspirin its acidic properties.

At position 2 of the benzene ring, there is a hydroxyl group (OH). This is the alcohol functional group. The hydroxyl group consists of an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom. The presence of this group allows aspirin to act as both an acid and an alcohol.

Therefore, the functional groups found in aspirin are the acid (carboxylic acid) and alcohol (hydroxyl) groups, which are responsible for its chemical properties and effects in the body.