Follow your curiosity

What discovery has been shared with you?

FACTREE gives you something interesting to discover every day — and something worth talking about together.

Start with one fact. Explore it, go deeper, then follow whichever branch catches your imagination.

Choose subjects for a surprise

Exploring any topic

Begin your discovery

Your next discovery is one click away.

Choose one or more subjects above, or leave Any Topic selected and let curiosity decide.

Chemistry

Synthesizing Aspirin from Salicylic Acid

Quick fact

The synthesis of aspirin is a classic esterification reaction where salicylic acid reacts with acetic anhydride in the presence of a sulfuric acid catalyst, producing acetylsalicylic acid and acetic acid.

Why this is interesting

Aspirin is one of the most common pain relievers, but have you ever wondered how it's made from the natural compound found in willow bark?