Synthesis Of Organic
Solid
Aspirin
Unit 4: Laboratory Techniques and their Applications
Learning Aim C: Explore Manufacturing Techniques and Testing Methods for an
Organic Sold
By Chaima Jensen, Uxbridge College, October 2021
Chaima Jensen First Submission
,Introduction
Felix Hoffmann, a German chemist, produced a stable form of
acetylsalicylic acid, more commonly known as aspirin; in 1897. Aspirin is a
derivative of salicylic acid that is a mild, nonnarcotic analgesic useful in
the relief of headache, muscle, joint aches and as a blood thinner.
Hypothesis
I hypothesize that salicylic acid will react with acetic anhydride to produce
acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and acetic acid (vinegar), resulting in shiny
white crystals.
Producer
Preparation of Aspirin
Equipment:
Condenser – Used to change the state of a substance from a gas to a
liquid
Clamp and stand – Used to hold the condenser and the round neck flask
firm in place
Hot plate – Used to heat the water for the warm bath and the heat the
substances
Water– Needed for the warm bath
Distilled water – needed to wash the crude aspirin and wet the filter
paper
Round-bottom flask – Used for chemical reactions and reflux
(2-Hydroxybenzoic acid, salicylic acid), acetic anhydride,
phosphoric acid – needed to make aspirin
Spatula – Used as a spoon to scoop salicylic acid out
Weighing boat – Used as a container
Weighing scale – Used to weigh the amount of a substance.
Measuring cylinder – used to measure solutions accurately
Fume cupboard – Used for ventilation to protect from exposure of
chemicals
Beakers – Needed for the practical
Ice bath – Used to cool aspirin
Pipette – Used to measure solutions precisely
Chaima Jensen First Submission
, Vacuum filter – To draw in pressure, to filter products easily
Glass rod – Used to mix substances together and the solution to start the
precipitation of crystals.
Method for manufacturing Aspirin:
1. Put on your safety goggles, gloves, and lab coat.
2. The apparatus for the practical was set up.
3. Using a weight boat, weigh out 1 g of Salicylic acid (C7H6O3),
transfer it into a small neck round flask
4. Using a volumetric pipette, measure 2 cm3 of acetic anhydride and
add it to the flask
5. Using a pipette add 8 drops of concentrated phosphoric acid (used
as a catalyst) to the flask. This process was done in a fume
cupboard
6. Set up the reflux, The flask was clamped, and the condenser was
attached. Then the flow of water was checked, ensuring the quick fit
apparatus was watertight.
7. The Hot plate was turned on
8. Put water in a 600 ml beaker and place it on a hot plate
9. The round bottom flask was held in the hot bath until the water
started boiling
10. This mixture was then swirled and further heated for 5 minutes to
ensure all solid particles had completely dissolved.
11. TURN OFF the hot plate for safety reasons and carefully
remove the flask from the hot water bath
12. Next, allow the mixture to cool before dismantling the
condenser from the apparatus.
13. Using a pipette, add 5 cm3 of cold water to the solution
14. Pour the solution into a small beaker
15. The solution was then put into an ice bath until all the solid
had formed.
16. Filter off the product, using a vacuum filter > wet the filter
paper with distilled water
Chaima Jensen First Submission