The Synthesis of Aspirin

Chemistry Standard Level Lab Report

Data Collection and Processing and Conclusion and Evaluation

Date: December 8th, 2011

Purpose:

The purpose of this lab was to synthesize aspirin, determine the theoretical yield, compare the percent yield to the theoretical yield and test the purity of aspirin by adding Iron (III) chloride to the product.

Hypothesis:

I hypothesize that salicylic acid will react with acetic anhydride to produce acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and acetic acid (vinegar).

Variables:

Independent and controlled variables: The amount of sulfuric acid used for catalysis and the amount of salicylic acid and acetic anhydride.
Dependent variables: Theoretical and actual yield of
Diagram for the gravity filtration system:

[pic]

Observations and Data Collection:

Observations Tables:

Observations of salicylic acid – Table 1
| |Trial 1 |Trial 2 |
|Initial observations of salicylic acid |Powdery, white crystals. |Powdery, white crystals. |

In trial 1, the appearance and state of salicylic acid was noted at the beginning of the experiment; salicylic acid is a white, granulated powder. The same observation was made in trial 2.

Observations of acetic anhydride – Table 2
| |Trial 1 |Trial 2 |
|Initial observations of acetic anhydride |Transparent, aqueous solution. |Transparent, aqueous solution. |

In trial 1, the appearance and state of acetic anhydride was noted at the beginning of the experiment; acetic anhydride is a transparent aqueous solution. The same observation was made in trial 2.

Observations of sulfuric acid – Table 3
| |Trial 1 |Trial 2 |
|Initial observations of sulfuric acid |Transparent, aqueous solution. |Transparent, aqueous solution. |

In trial 1, the appearance