BTEC Applied Science: Unit 4 Learning aim C

Unit 4: Laboratory techniques and their application


Learning aim C: Explore manufacturing techniques and testing methods for an
organic solid


Title: Making a headache tablet


Aims:
 Correctly prepare and then test the purity of an organic solid
 Describe how the organic solid is made in industry
 Compare the school laboratory method and industrial method of making
an organic solid


Introduction:
I am a lab technician working in the research and development department of
a pharmaceutical company. One of the products made by the company is
aspirin. I am going to investigate how to produce and test the purity of aspirin
so that the company can make it efficiently. I am going to produce a sample of
aspirin and test its purity. I am going to compare the laboratory technique with
the industrial process used by the pharmaceutical company to manufacture
aspirin on a large scale.
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. These include: mild indigestion, bleeding more than
usual. To cope with the side effects of aspirin, take the aspirin with food and be
careful when doing activities that might cause cuts/injuries.
Aspirin is prepared by chemical synthesis of salicylic acid (acetylation with
acetic anhydride).
Clinical trials are important for researching new treatments for diseases. It is
also a way to diagnose, detect, and reduce the chance of developing diseases.

,Clinical trials allows researchers to see what works on humans or does not.
This cannot be indicated in a laboratory or in animal research.



P5: Correctly prepare and test the purity of an organic solid and
draw conclusions


Risk assessment:
Salicylic acid – It is an irritant that can cause chemical burns and intoxication if
digested. Wear safety goggles and gloves, do not inhale. If accidently digested,
wash mouth out with water and seek medical attention.
Ethanoic anhydride – It is a highly corrosive chemical. Contact with the
chemical can cause burns to the skin and eyes. Breathing in high
concentrations can cause lung damage and irritate the nose. Wear safety
goggles and gloves. Do not inhale/wear a mask/use a fume cupboard.
Ethanol – It is a highly flammable liquid and vapour. If accidently digested, it
can cause damage to organs. Wear safety goggles and gloves. Do not digest.


Part 1
 salicylic (2-hydroxybenzenecarboxylic) acid
 10 cm3 measuring cylinder
 ethanoic anhydride
 concentrated sulfuric acid in a dropping bottle
 400 cm3 beaker
 100 cm3 conical flask
 tripod, gauze and Bunsen burner
 250 cm3 beaker
 reduced pressure filtration apparatus
 filter paper
 stirring rod
 thermometer (−10 °C to 110 °C)
 distilled or deionised water
 spatula

, Part 2
 boiling tube
 deionised or distilled water
 250 cm3 beaker
 ethanol
 25 cm3 measuring cylinder
 100 cm3 conical flask
 stirring rod
 thermometer (−10 °C to 110 °C)
 digital mass balance
 kettle


Part 1 Preparation
1. In a 100 cm3 conical flask, weigh out roughly 6.00 g of salicylic acid.
Record the mass of salicylic acid used.
2. Fill the flask with 10 cm3 ethanoic anhydride and stir the contents with a
10 cm3 measuring cylinder.
3. To ensure thorough mixing, add 5 drops of concentrated sulfuric acid to
the flask and stir the mixture for a few minutes.
4. Warm the flask in a 400 cm3 beaker of hot water at about 60 °C for 20
minutes. The temperature in the flask should not exceed 65°C.
5. Allow the flask to cool before pouring the contents into a beaker
containing 75 cm3 of water and swirling vigorously to precipitate the
solid.
6. Filter out the aspirin using a low-pressure filter (such as a Buchner
funnel) to avoid skin contact.
7. Collect the crude aspirin and dry it on a double-thickness filter paper.