What functional group of aspirin causes it to irritate the stomach?

0 ⤊

What functional group of aspirin causes it to irritate the stomach?

2007-11-28 23:02:50 · 2 answers · asked by Amy 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry

2 answers

Aspirin is othewise known as acetyl salicylic acid. Salicylic acid has an -OH group (an alcohol) and a carboxyl group -COOH (an organic acid). The acid portion of the molecule is one of the factors that causes irritation in the stomach. In addition to irritation caused by acidity, aspirin causes stomach irritation by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, i.e. hormones responsible for slowing gastric acid production.

2007-11-28 23:33:45 · answer #1 · answered by David J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋

The phenyl carboxylate.

2007-11-29 07:25:34 · answer #2 · answered by ag_iitkgp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋