How to Make Aspirin - Acetylsalicylic Acid

• You can compare the actual and theoretical yield of acetylsalicylic acid based on the initial quantity of salicylic acid. Can you identify the limiting reactant in the synthesis?

• You can compare the quality of the synthesized aspirin with commercial aspirin and salicylic acid. Add one drop of 1% iron III chloride to separate test tubes containing a few crystals of each substance. Observe the color: Pure aspirin would show no color, while salicylic acid or traces of it in impure aspirin will show a purple color.

• Examine the aspirin crystals under a microscope. You should see white small-grained crystals with obvious repeating units.

• Can you identify the functional groups in salicylic acid? Can you predict how these groups affect the properties of the molecule and how the body reacts to it? Salicylic acid has an -OH group (an alcohol) and a carboxyl group -COOH (an organic acid). The acid portion of the molecule is one of the factors that causes irritation in the stomach. In addition to irritation caused by acidity, aspirin causes stomach irritation by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, hormones responsible for slowing gastric acid production.

Index: How to Make Aspirin - Acetylsalicylic Acid

1. How to Make Aspirin - Acetylsalicylic Acid - Introduction and History
2. How to Make Aspirin - Acetylsalicylic Acid - Objectives & Materials
3. How to Make Aspirin - Acetylsalicylic Acid - Procedure
4. How to Make Aspirin - Acetylsalicylic Acid - Analysis & Follow-Up
5. How to Make Aspirin - Acetylsalicylic Acid - More Follow-Up Questions