Phenyl acetate


Phenyl acetate is the ester of phenol and acetic acid. It can be produced by decarboxylation of aspirin or by reacting phenol with acetic anhydride or acetyl chloride.
Phenyl acetate can be separated into phenol and an acetate salt, via saponification: heating the phenyl acetate with a strong base, such as sodium hydroxide, will produce phenol and an acetate salt.