Investigation of Aspirin Decomposition
Introduction
Medication has become a human right. It has grown dramatically in the past few years. So much so that it is one
of the most easily accessible items in the world. One of the most commonly used drug in the world is Aspirin,
created by Felix Hoff...
Investigation of Aspirin Decomposition
Introduction
Medication has become a human right. It has grown dramatically in the past few years. So much so that it is one
of the most easily accessible items in the world. One of the most commonly used drug in the world is Aspirin,
created by Felix Hoffmann. It is a platelet aggregation inhibitor. It is used for a lot of medical applications. One
of its uses is as an anti-inflammatory drug or to reduce chronic pain etc. [Asp]. Aspirin is chemically known as
Acetylsalicylic acid. Its chemical formula is C9H8O4. Since my father is a pharmacist, I have been exposed to
biochemistry of medicines from an early age. The decomposition of these medicines have intrigued me for a
long time. I am interested in how these medicine are preserved and what their optimal conditions are. Aspirin
decomposes because of hydrolysis, reacting with water. It decomposes in the following manner:
H2O + C9H8O4 ---> C7H6O3 + CH3COOH
The products formed are acetic acid and salicylic acid [Car88]. For this investigation, the main compound
formed is Salicylic acid. This compound is what further reacts to show rate of decomposition. This compound
reacts with Iron (III) nitrate in the solution to form a conjugate, Ferric Salicylate, with a violet color [Nag75] as
following:
Iron (III) Nitrate + Salicylic Acid → Ferric Salicylate + Nitric Acid
Fe(NO3)3 + 3CH4(OH)COOH → Fe(C6H4(OH)COO) 3 + 3HNO3
Figure 2 Ferric Salicylate
This violet color increases the absorption of the solution. This change in absorption is measured with a
colorimeter. This is then compared with the calibration curve which is prepared separately. The question arises
for the different factors that affect the rate of decomposition of aspirin. Since optimal conditions are required for
a medicine to preserve it and to maintain its effectiveness, pH may form a very important factor that must be
taken into account. This investigation will allow me to determine, or to guide me on whether the pH really forms
an important factor in terms of aspirin decomposition. Thus the research question:
To what extent does the pH of the solution affect the rate of decomposition of Acetylsalicylic Acid in ethanol?
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