UNIVERSIDAD DE ZAMBOANGA

School of Allied Medicine (SAM)

Pharmacy Department

PHARM CHEM – 2 and PMOC

LABORATORY

Name: ___________________ Course/Sec: ___________ Date Submitted: ___________________

Group Name:______________ Schedule: _____________ Date Performed: ___________________

Exercise No. 5 – SYNTHESIS OF ACETYLSALICYLIC ACID

I. OBJECTIVE:
To synthesize Acetylsalicylic acid from Salicylic acid and Acetic anhydride

II. MATERIALS:
Reagents: Apparatus:
Salicylic acid Glass Tubing
Acetic anhydride Bunsen Burner
Phosphoric acid, 85% Water Bath
Activated Charcoal Erlenmeyer Flask
Ferric Chloride, T.S. Beaker
Sodium hydroxide, 1N Funnel
Concentrated Sulfuric acid Tripod
Sulfuric acid, 2N Filter Paper
Ethanol Watch Glass

III. PROCEDURE:

1. Weigh 3.0 g of Salicylic acid and place it in a 250mL Erlenmeyer Flask.

2. Measure 6.0mL of Acetic anhydride and add it to the Flask. (Note: Do this inside the hood and wear
goggles).
3. Add carefully 5 to 10 drops of 85% Phosphoric acid to the flask and swirl to mix thoroughly.
4. Heat the mixture for about 10 minutes in a beaker of warm water (78-80⁰C).
5. Add cautiously 20 drops of distilled water.
6. Add another 20mL of water and cool in an Ice Bath. Scratch the Walls of the Flask with Stirring Rod to
induce Crystallization.
7. Filter the Solid Aspirin through a piece of pre-weighed Filter Paper using a Funnel.
8. Wash the Crystals with 2-3mL Chilled Water.
9. Place the Filter with the Product on a Watch Glass and Put it in the Oven @ 100⁰C for about minutes
until Dry.
10. Weigh the Aspirin.
11. Compute for the % yield.

IV. Chemical Reactions Involved: Enumerate All Observed Reactions:

1. _________________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________________________

V. DATA:

Actual Yield: ___________________ Theoretical Yield: _______________

Percentage Yield: _______________

VI. COMPUTATIONS:

(Molecular Weight of the Product) (Weight of the Reactants)

THEORETICAL YIELD = _____________________________________________________________

Molecular Weight of the Reactants

 Actual Yield
PERCENTAGE YIELD = ________________________ x 100

Theoretical Yield

VII. IDENTIFICATION TESTS:

A. Physical Tests:
1. Color ______________________ 4. Melting Point _______________________
2. Odor ______________________ 5. Boiling Point _______________________
3. Appearance ___________________

B. Chemical Tests:
1. Reaction with Ferric chloride:
Heat a Small Amount of Aspirin with Water for Several Minutes. Cool and add 1 or 2
Drops of Ferric Chloride T.S

Result: __________________________________________________________________

Reaction Involved: ________________________________________________________

2. Boil about 0.5g of Aspirin with 10mL of 1 N Sodium hydroxide. Cool and Add 10mL of 2N
Sulfuric acid.

Result: __________________________________________________________________

Reaction Involved: ________________________________________________________

3. Filter the Mixture obtained in Procedure 2; add to the Filtrate 3mL of ethanol and 3mL of
Sulfuric acid; and warm.

Result: __________________________________________________________________

Reaction Involved: ________________________________________________________

VIII. CONCLUSION:

Revised & Modified: 112019 benxvirgo, RPh

IX. QUESTIONS: Answer Substantially:

1. Give the Product of Aspirin hydrolysis, & the Balanced Chemical Reaction Involved.

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2. Why is the Salt form is used, in place of the Original Acetylsalicylic acid in dosage form formulation?

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3. Give the Different Therapeutic Uses of Acetylsalicylic acid, & explain the Mechanism of Action of each.

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4. What are the Side Effects of Acetylsalicylic acid? Enumerate as Many & EXPLAIN.

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5. What are the conditions that Lead to Gastric Mucosal Irritation of Acetylsalicylic acid?

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6. What is the Storage Requirement for Acetylsalicylic acid?

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Revised & Modified: 112019 benxvirgo, RPh