Reaction of phenol with $\mathrm{NaOH}$ followed by heating with ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ under high pressure and subsequent acidification gives salicyclic acid $\left(\mathrm{X}\right)$ as the major product, which can be purified by steam distillation. When reacted with acetic anhydride in presence of a trace amount of conc. ${\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4,$ compound $\mathrm{X}$ produces methyl salicyclate $\left(\mathrm{Y}\right)$ as the major product.