Investigating the synthesis of Aspirin
Khansa Zahid
Student id: 4017686
Unit 4: learning aim c
Khansa Zahid, Learning aim C Page 1 of 19
, 1. Introduction
Aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. You can get hold of this drug over the
counter at any pharmacy. Aspirin can be used to reduce any type of swelling or pain e.g.,
menstrual cramps, headaches or the flu. Not only this but doctors recommend people who
participate in high cardiovascular endurance activities to consume low doses of aspirin as it
can reduce the chance of blood clots forming. The uses and side effects of aspirin are
detailed in Reference 5. of section 12..
People who have diabetes, have high cholesterol or people who smoke are recommended to
take low doses of aspirin. Taking low doses of aspirin daily prevents the blood from turning
sticky which then prevents heart attacks or strokes.
However, doctors do not give aspirin to patients during a stroke because blood clots are not
the root cause for all strokes; if taken whilst having a stroke and a blood clot was not the
cause, it can make the patient’s situation much worse. People who suffer with asthma, liver,
kidney issues or uncontrolled high blood pressure should be extremely cautious taking
aspirin and should always consult a doctor before doing so. The detailed facts about aspirin
are outline in Reference 4. of section 12..
This lab report is going to cover the following areas:
The chemical reactions involved in the production of aspirin
The calculations involved in determining the amount of aspirin produced theoretically
The method of producing aspirin in the lab and percentage yield
The method of producing aspirin in the industry
Comparison of the production method of lab and industry
Comparison of techniques and their impact on purity and yield
Testing the purity of aspirin
Conclusions
2. Chemical Reaction
I investigated the production of aspirin. Aspirin is created by reacting ethanoic anhydride with
2- hydroxybenzoic acid and then use the ethanoic anhydride to convert the hydroxybenzoic
acid into aspirin. The equation is for this reaction is:
C7H6O3 + C4H6O3 C9H8O4 + CH3COOH
Hydroxybenzoic acid + ethanoic anhydride aspirin + ethanoic acid
Khansa Zahid, Learning aim C Page 2 of 19
Khansa Zahid
Student id: 4017686
Unit 4: learning aim c
Khansa Zahid, Learning aim C Page 1 of 19
, 1. Introduction
Aspirin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. You can get hold of this drug over the
counter at any pharmacy. Aspirin can be used to reduce any type of swelling or pain e.g.,
menstrual cramps, headaches or the flu. Not only this but doctors recommend people who
participate in high cardiovascular endurance activities to consume low doses of aspirin as it
can reduce the chance of blood clots forming. The uses and side effects of aspirin are
detailed in Reference 5. of section 12..
People who have diabetes, have high cholesterol or people who smoke are recommended to
take low doses of aspirin. Taking low doses of aspirin daily prevents the blood from turning
sticky which then prevents heart attacks or strokes.
However, doctors do not give aspirin to patients during a stroke because blood clots are not
the root cause for all strokes; if taken whilst having a stroke and a blood clot was not the
cause, it can make the patient’s situation much worse. People who suffer with asthma, liver,
kidney issues or uncontrolled high blood pressure should be extremely cautious taking
aspirin and should always consult a doctor before doing so. The detailed facts about aspirin
are outline in Reference 4. of section 12..
This lab report is going to cover the following areas:
The chemical reactions involved in the production of aspirin
The calculations involved in determining the amount of aspirin produced theoretically
The method of producing aspirin in the lab and percentage yield
The method of producing aspirin in the industry
Comparison of the production method of lab and industry
Comparison of techniques and their impact on purity and yield
Testing the purity of aspirin
Conclusions
2. Chemical Reaction
I investigated the production of aspirin. Aspirin is created by reacting ethanoic anhydride with
2- hydroxybenzoic acid and then use the ethanoic anhydride to convert the hydroxybenzoic
acid into aspirin. The equation is for this reaction is:
C7H6O3 + C4H6O3 C9H8O4 + CH3COOH
Hydroxybenzoic acid + ethanoic anhydride aspirin + ethanoic acid
Khansa Zahid, Learning aim C Page 2 of 19
