Introduction
I am a lab assistant in a pharmaceutical company's research and development department. Aspirin is
one of the products manufactured by the company. Therefore, I'll be reporting on my research on
organic solid, manufacturing procedures and testing methods.I will illustrate and test the purity of an
organic solid, and the results will be obtained. In addition, I will explain the industrial manufacturing
and testing of an organic solid and compare laboratory and industrial organic liquid methods. Finally,
I will assess the factors affecting the yield and purity of the organic liquid in the laboratory, as well as
in the industrial manufacturing. Therefore, I'm going to look into ways to generate and evaluate the
purity of aspirin so that the company can make it more efficiently.
What is an aspirin (introduction)?
Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid, is a common aromatic molecule that contains both
carboxylic acid and acetylsalicylic acid. Furthermore, it is considered to have an ester functional
group, and aspirin is a weak acid which is somewhat water soluble. Aspirin can also be synthesised by
reacting salicylic acid and acetic anhydride in an acid catalyst. Aspirine's structure consists of three
groups: the first one is a carboxylic acid functional functional group (R-COOH), the second is an ester
functional group (R-O-CO-R), and the third is an aromatic group (benzene group).
Aspirin is medication used to reduce pain, inflammation or fever. It is used as an everyday painkiller
for headaches, toothaches and to treat colds/flu-like symptoms. Aspirin is also known as
acetylsalicylic acid. Like many medications, aspirin has side effects which include: milde indigestion,
bleeding more than usual. Therefore, to cope with the side effects of aspirin, take the aspirin with
food and be careful when doing activities that might cause a cut.
Part 1; preparation of 2-hydroxybenzoic acid
Risk assessment
The risk assessment is done to minimise any hazards and risk that will occur during the experiment.
Equipment and chemical Risk Explanation
Hazards
Glassware Causes cuts and injury A variety of glassware is utilised in the
aspirin synthesis experiment, including a
beaker, glasswatch, and glass rod. This
suggests that if the glass is accidentally
broken, it might result in injuries and cuts.
, To avoid an accident, the broken glass
should be cleaned and disposed of in the
bin.
Hazards solution Corrosive flammable It is probable that spillage will occur
during the experiment. As a result, the
spillage may come into contact with skin
and eyes, resulting in poor eyesight and
skin discomfort. Wash the affected area
with cold water for a few minutes before
seeking medical attention. As a result,
using goggles and lab coats protects the
skin and eyes.
2-ethanoyl bezos acid Irritant and corrosive If inhaled, it can cause eye and skin
irritation, as well as lung damage due to
respiratory irritation.
Salicylate acid Irritant and Causes irritation to skin and eyes and
environmental damage could lead to respiratory irritation, and
may also be toxic to aquatic life with long
lasting effects. In addition, It has a low
melting point, meaning that it releases a
large amount of vapour when it is heated.
Methyl 2-hydroxybenzoic Irritant Used for pain relief, e.g for muscle and
acid joint which can help to reduce
inflammation and severe pain. However,
it causes irritation to skin and eye and if
swallowed it causes respiratory problems.
Therefore, if the solution comes into contact with your eye make sure to wash that area with cold
water for a few minutes before seeking medical help. Also, do not drink or eat in the lab. If there is
pillage make sure to clean it immediately and dispose of the bone. One of the important health
and safety measures should be taken is wearing lab coats, goggles and gloves as this provides
protection against any chemical splash which causes irritation to skin and eye. Moreover, ensure
that the gas tape is closed once the experiment is finished because it can lead to accidents which
can injure people who are working in the lab.
Aspirin which is also known as 2-methoxybenzoic acid is a painkiller drug which is made in a number
of ways by using different equipment and procedures. However, the simplest two set[s process
begins with oil of wintergreen which is a substance made by the distillation of leaves of plant, known
as Gaultheriae procunbers.
In this experiment the oil of wintergreen consists of 98% methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate. This is
hydrolysed by heating with sodium hydroxide. Next, the aicd will be formed with a solid product
known as salicylic acid.
Analysing this further, the reaction between methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate and sodium hydroxide needs
to be heated for 30 minutes. However, to avoid any evaporation of vapour from escaping, therefore,
the mixture should be heated under a reflux condenser. The reflux condenser is attached above the
reaction vessel that condenses and helps to return the vapour back into the mixture.
, Equipments:
- Weighing scale
- Measuring cylinder (10cm3)
- Measuring cylinder (50cm3)
- Round bottom flask
- Liebig condenser and tubing
- Clamp stand
- Anti bumping granules
- Electric heater
- Beaker
- Beaker containing ice
- Distilled water
- Dropping pipette
- Stirring rod
- Filtration under reduced pressure
- Watch Glass
- Sample tube and lid
Method
Firstly, I started the experiment with rinsing the equipment to ensure accuracy, meaning that an
accurate and reliable result will be obtained because of avoiding contamination. I start by setting up
the apparatus by using a 50cm3 round bottom flask and liebig condenser. Next I used a measuring
cylinder to measure out 2.5cm3 oil of wintergreen and weighted the mass on the weight scale to
make sure that exactly 2.5cm3 is measured, and I added the wintergreen oil into the round bottom
flask. Then, I weighed the measuring cylinder by using a weighing scale and recorded the mass. I
used a 50cm3 measuring cylinder and measured 25cm3 of 2 mol/dm3 of sodium hydroxide solution. I
gently added the sodium hydroxide solution into the round bottom flask, making sure not to spill the
solution because the wrong result will be obtained. Next, I added anti bumping granules or a boiling
chip is a small, irregularly shaped piece of material that is put to liquids to help them boil more
gently. I heated the mixture under reflux for 30 minutes using an electric heater because it is ideal to
use an electric heater rather than a Bunsen burner. This is due to the fact that ethanol liquid and
vapour are very flammable and might accidentally catch fire. After 30 minute of heating I allowed the
mixture to cool and poured the solution into a 100cm3 beaker which is placed in a large beaker
containing ice and water. Moreover, I neutralise the reaction mixture by carefully adding 2.00
moldm3 hydrochloric acid to the mixture dropwise and stirred with a stirring rod and I keep adding
hydrochloric acid until no more solid forms. Next, I filter the solid product by using a filtration under
reduced pressure. Furthemore, I recorded the weight of the watch glass using a measuring cylinder
and transferred the solid product into the watch glass. I allowed the solid product to dry, once it was
fully dried I recorded the mass of the solid product with the watch glass by using a weighing scale. I
stored the solid product in a clean tube to be used in preparation of the aspirin experiment.
Analysing of result
Methyl hydroxybenzoic acid + sodium hydroxide -----------> sodium hydroxybenzoic acid + methanol
Sodium 2-hydroxybenzoate + Hydrochloric acid -----------> 2-hydroxybenzoic acid + Sodium chloride
