Organic Chemistry Project Aspvjnirin Detailed
Organic Chemistry Project Aspvjnirin Detailed
Organic Chemistry Project Aspvjnirin Detailed
Objective:
The objective of this project is to understand the synthesis of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) from
salicylic acid and acetic anhydride. In addition, the project aims to analyze the purity of the
synthesized aspirin by determining its melting point and comparing it with the theoretical value.
Introduction:
Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, is a widely used medication known for its analgesic,
reaction where salicylic acid is treated with acetic anhydride. Understanding this reaction provides
insights into organic synthesis and the importance of functional groups in medicinal chemistry.
Materials:
- Salicylic acid (2 grams)
- Test tubes
- Hot plate
- pH indicator paper
Procedure:
1. Synthesis of Aspirin:
- Add 5 mL of acetic anhydride to the beaker, and include a few drops of sulfuric acid to act as a
catalyst.
- Heat the mixture gently on a hot plate for approximately 10 minutes, ensuring it does not reach
boiling.
- Once the reaction is complete, carefully pour the mixture into a beaker filled with ice water. This
- Filter the precipitated aspirin using a filtration setup and wash it with cold water to remove
impurities.
2. Purity Analysis:
- To assess the purity of the synthesized aspirin, measure its melting point using a melting point
- Compare the melting point obtained with the literature value of approximately 135°C for pure
3. pH Test:
- Use pH indicator paper to determine the acidity of the reaction mixture before and after the
Results:
During the experiment, the melting point of the synthesized aspirin was recorded. The obtained
melting point was compared with the standard melting point to determine the purity of the aspirin.
Any deviations from the expected value can indicate impurities present in the final product.
Conclusion:
The synthesis of aspirin demonstrated fundamental principles of organic chemistry, particularly
esterification. The experiment highlighted the significance of functional groups in drug synthesis and
the role of purity assessment. Aspirin remains an important compound in medicinal chemistry,
References:
- Organic Chemistry textbooks focusing on reactions and synthesis.
- Research articles discussing the medicinal properties of aspirin.
- Online resources like PubChem for chemical properties and synthesis techniques.