Aspirin is an acetylation product of?(A) p-dihydroxybenzene(B) o-hydroxybenzoic acid(C) o-dihydroxy benzene (D) m-hydroxybenzoic acid

Aspirin is an acetylation product of (B) o-hydroxybenzoic acid.

Explanation:
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is formed when salicylic acid, which is o-hydroxybenzoic acid, undergoes acetylation. In this process, the hydroxyl group (-OH) at the ortho position (adjacent to the carboxyl group) of salicylic acid is acetylated using acetic anhydride. This reaction produces aspirin and acetic acid as a by-product.

The chemical reaction is as follows:

Salicylic acid (o-hydroxybenzoic acid) + Acetic anhydride → Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) + Acetic acid

Thus, the correct answer is (B) o-hydroxybenzoic acid.