Title and Experiment Number: Lab 8 Aspirin

Kailah Klosky

Introduction:

Title and Experiment Number: Lab 8 Aspirin

Goals of the Experiment:

The purpose of this experiment was to study the compounds and mechanisms used to isolate and recrystallize Acetylsalicylic Acid. Salicylic Acid was mixed with Acetic Anhydride to produce Acetylsalicylic Acid via an acid catalyzed acetylation. The compound that was created out of this reaction was crude, purified, and then recrystallized. Throughout each step, the solid was isolated by the vacuum filtration method. The phenol test and melting point were run on the product at several stages of the workup to ensure the reaction went to completion. The new skill that was learned was how to use the vacuum, funnel, and flask to filtrate the substrate from the solution.

Results and Discussion:

All reaction equations and Calculations are found on a separate sheet at the end of the lab report.

Analytical data:

Experimental melting point:

Literature melting point: 136 degrees C. Taken from http://www.chemicalland21.com/lifescience/phar/ACETYLSALICYLIC%20ACID.htm

Color and Structure: White Crystalline solid.

Overall Product Purity:

The Side Reaction is written on a separate sheet of paper.

Experiment:

The experimental procedure was followed with some minor changes as it was written in the course pack. In order to obtain the crude product, the procedure was followed as listed by the flow chart found on page 9A in the course pack. In order to obtain the recrystallized sample, the procedure was followed as listed by the flow chart found on page 9B in the course pack. In following the flow chart on page 9A, several steps were added in at each stage. During the first stage, the students were asked to put a stirring rod into the 125 mL Erlenmeyer flask prior to adding in the substances listed. When using the heating pad, a thermometer was used to obtain the temperature of the water at 50 degrees C. Also when using the heating pad, clamps were used to place the flask within the beaker filled with water. Once the flask was ready and allowed to cool, students were asked to remove the stirring rod before crystallization occured. Finally, prior to using the vacuum filtration technique, students were asked to weigh both the funnel head and the filter paper separately. Then after the filtration occured, the crystals along with the filter