1.

Write the mechanism for the reaction involved in the synthesis of acetylsalicylic acid from
salicylic acid.

2. What is the role of phosphoric acid in the synthesis of the acetylsalicylic acid?

In order to create aspirin with pure results, phosphoric acid, or H3PO4, is employed as a catalyst in the
process. Sulfuric acid, often known as H3SO4, is a powerful acid that may alter the groups in the
benzene ring, whereas the catalyst is a strong acid. so that the process can proceed more quickly,
phosphoric acid is utilized as a catalyst. With three interchangeable hydrogens, phosphoric acid is a
tribasic acid. As a result, phosphoric acid will be employed to protonate the acetic anhydride's carbonyl
oxygen. Salicylic acid's -OH group can therefore attack with greater ease.

3. Explain how the following can favor the synthesis of aspirin:

a. heating the mixture
Acetic acid, or C2H4O2, and acetylsalicylic acid, or C9H8O4, are created by heating the
combination while a little amount of sulfuric acid serves as a catalyst.

b. addition of water after heating

The excess acetic anhydride is destroyed by the addition of water, which also causes the product
to crystallize. The aspirin is then gathered, refined by recrystallization, and its melting point
determined.