DPS PUBLIC SCHOOL
GREATER NOIDA
CHEMISTRY
Investigatory Report on the Preparation
of Aspirin
Submitted by: Rishi Srivastava
Class: XII – G
Roll No.: 23
Certificate
This is to certify that the investigatory project
entitled "Preparation of Aspirin" has been
completed by Rishi Srivastava of class XII – G to
fulfill the requirements of their academic
curriculum.
The work is original, and due acknowledgment has
been made for any assistance provided. This is the
result of the efforts done under the guidance of Mrs
Kusum Mishra.
Acknowledgment
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my
Chemistry teacher, Mrs. Kusum Mishra, for her
invaluable guidance, encouragement, and support
throughout this project.
Her expertise and advice have been instrumental
in the successful completion of this investigatory
project.
I am also grateful to my school for providing the
necessary resources and laboratory facilities.
.
Introduction
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is one of the most
common medications used to relieve pain, fever,
and inflammation.
It is synthesized via the esterification reaction
between salicylic acid and acetic anhydride,
catalyzed by sulfuric or phosphoric acid.
This report focuses on the principles of organic
synthesis, reaction conditions, purity testing and
examines the synthesis of acetylsalicylic acid
(aspirin), a widely used analgesic and antipyretic.
The study outlines the procedure for preparing
aspirin through esterification, discusses
observations, evaluates results, and analyzes
potential errors to ensure accuracy in laboratory
practices
Theory
The preparation of aspirin involves the following
steps and principles:
1. Chemical Reaction:
- Esterification occurs between salicylic acid and acetic
anhydride.
- Concentrated sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid is used
as a catalyst.
- Acetic acid is produced as a byproduct.
2. Reaction Conditions:
- The reaction is exothermic and requires controlled
heating to ensure completion.
3. Purification Process:
- Crystallization is used to isolate pure aspirin.
- The product is further purified by washing and drying.
4. Verification of Purity:
- Melting point determination and chemical tests (e.g.,
ferric chloride test) are performed to confirm the
absence of impurities.
Materials and
Equipment
1. Salicylic acid (C7H6O3)
2. Acetic anhydride (C4H6O3)
3. Concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
4. Distilled water
5. Beakers (100 mL and 250 mL)
6. Conical flask
7. Ice bath
8. Büchner funnel and filter paper
9. Balance
10. Hotplate
Procedure
1. Prepare the Reaction Mixture:
o Weigh around 2.0 grams of salicylic acid
and transfer it to a clean, dry conical flask.
o Add 4 mL of acetic anhydride to the flask.
This will act as the acetylating agent.
o Add 2-3 drops of concentrated sulfuric acid
(or phosphoric acid) to the flask as a
catalyst. The acid helps to speed up the
esterification reaction between salicylic
acid and acetic anhydride.
2. Heat the Mixture:
o Gently heat the reaction mixture in a warm
water bath for about 10-15 minutes. Be
cautious not to overheat, as acetic
anhydride can be volatile and irritating.
o During heating, the acetic anhydride reacts
with the hydroxyl group (-OH) of salicylic
acid, forming aspirin and acetic acid as a
byproduct.
3. Cool and Crystallize the Product:
o After heating, remove the flask from the
water bath and allow it to cool to room
temperature.
o Slowly add 20 mL of distilled water to the
cooled mixture. This will hydrolyze any
excess acetic anhydride and dilute the
reaction mixture, causing the aspirin to
precipitate out of solution.
4. Isolate the Aspirin:
o Once the aspirin begins to crystallize, place
the flask in an ice bath to complete the
crystallization process.
o After the product has fully crystallized,
filter the crystals using vacuum filtration or
simple gravity filtration with filter paper.
5. Purify the Aspirin:
o The crude aspirin can be purified by
recrystallization. Dissolve the crude aspirin
in a minimal amount of warm ethanol or
hot water (depending on solubility).
o Filter out any impurities and allow the
solution to cool slowly. Aspirin will
crystallize from the solvent.
o Filter the purified aspirin crystals and wash
them with a small amount of cold solvent.
6. Dry the Product:
o Allow the aspirin crystals to air dry or place
them in an oven at a low temperature (e.g.,
50-60°C) to remove any residual solvent.
Final Product:
After drying, you should have pure aspirin
(acetylsalicylic acid) in the form of white
crystals.
Notes:
The reaction should be done under a fume
hood, as both acetic anhydride and sulfuric
acid are corrosive and produce irritating fumes.
Observations
- Upon adding acetic anhydride and sulfuric acid, a
noticeable heat evolution indicated an exothermic
reaction.
- Formation of white crystalline precipitate during
the cooling phase.
- The yield and texture of the product improved
with careful temperature control.
Results
- Mass of salicylic acid: 2.0 g
- Mass of aspirin obtained: 2.5 g (hypothetical
example)
- Theoretical yield: 2.76 g (calculated based on
stoichiometry).
Purity Tests
1. Melting Point Determination:
- Measure the melting point of the synthesized
aspirin (expected range: 135–137°C).
2. Ferric Chloride Test:
- Add a few drops of ferric chloride solution to
test for unreacted salicylic acid. A purple coloration
indicates impurities.
Uses of Aspirin
1. Medical Uses:
- Relief of pain, fever, and inflammation.
- Prevents blood clots, reducing the risk of heart
attacks and strokes.
- Used in low doses as a blood thinner for
cardiovascular conditions.
2. Other Uses:
- Component in acne treatments.
- Used in laboratory experiments as a standard
compound.
Side Effects of
Aspirin
1. Common Side Effects:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach irritation
- Mild indigestion
2. Severe Side Effects:
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Allergic reactions (rash, swelling, or breathing
difficulty)
- Kidney or liver damage with prolonged use
- Reye's syndrome in children with viral infections
Conclusion
The synthesis of aspirin was achieved with an
acceptable yield and confirmed purity.
This experiment highlights the importance of
precise measurements and controlled reaction
conditions in organic synthesis.
