Synthesis of Aspirin

Aspirin remains the most widely consumed medication in history, with over 100 billion tablets taken annually since Felix Hoffmann's 1897 acetylation of salicylic acid at Bayer. This synthesis achieved dramatically lower toxicity—10 times less irritating to the stomach lining than the average salicylate—while maintaining proven analgesic efficacy. Clinical data shows daily low-dose aspirin reduces cardiovascular events by 25%, a concrete benefit that has saved millions of lives over 125 years. This enduring drug continues to find new applications, including colorectal cancer prevention.