Synthesis and Strength Test of Aspirin Ian Fucci

Synthesis and Strength Test of Aspirin

Ian Fucci

What Is Aspirin?

Aspirin (or Acetylsalicylic Acid) is part of a group of drugs called salycilates.

It is used to treat pain in the body by lowering amounts of substances that cause pain.


Where Did Aspirin Come From?

Aspirin was first derived from the bark of a willow tree.

The earliest known use of aspirin was traced back to the Greeks in the 400s B.C. Hippocrates described it as a bitter powder that reduced fevers.

The next step in aspirin development was the isolation of Salicin in 1829. Unfortunately, it was very acidic and irritated the stomach of people who ingested it.


Modern Aspirin

The aspirin that we are used to appeared in 1897 when German chemist Felix Hoffman first synthesized acetylsalicylic aspirin.

In 1899, Bayer patented the drug and began (what is thought to be) the first pharmaceutical company

It was not until about 1970 when we first understood how aspirin worked.


How Does it Work?

Aspirin is known to block production of compounds called prostaglandins. They are hormone-like substances that control various bodily functions.

Prostaglandins cause inflammation and swelling in response to some disease, but they also control vital functions.


Chemical Makeup

Aspirin is also known as ASA or Acetylsalicylic Acid.

The official IUPAC name is 2-acetoxybenzoicacid

Its molecular formula is C9H8O4


Structural Formula

Synthesis


Salicylic Acid + Acetic Acid Acetylsalicylic Acid + WaterSulfuric Acid

In a Commercial Lab…

Aspirin is synthesized with either an organic halide (commonly acetyl chloride) that contains a acetyl group or acetic acid (or acetic anhydride) and salicylic acid.

The two ingredients are heated in a water bath, mixed, and then filtered and washed.

Buffers are later added to decrease acidity and reduce the chance of stomach irritation.


In-Class Lab

PurposeMaterialsProcedureResultsConclusion

Purpose

Part I: Synthesis of Aspirin Purpose: Create aspirin from acetic and

salicylic acid. Part II: Strength Test of Aspirin

Purpose: Test the lab made aspirin’s strength against that of commercially made aspirin.


Materials (Part I)

Ring Stand Ring Wire Gauze Bunsen Burner 600mL Beaker x2 200mL Beaker Thermometer tongs

stirring rods Erlenmeyer Flask Funnel Filter Paper Salicylic Acid Acetic Acid Sulfuric Acid Ice


Chemicals


Sulfuric Acid Salicylic Acid

Acetic Acid

Procedure (Part I)

1. Place 7g of salicylic acid in a 200mL beaker. Under a hood, carefully add 14mL (15g) of acetic acid.

2. Add 8-10 drops of sulfuric acid to acidify the mixture. Stir.3. Place beaker in warm water bath for 10-15 minutes. Do not permit the

temperature of the mixture to go above 50 degrees Celsius.4. Remove the beaker with tongs and cool in an ice bath. Stir until

crystals appear.5. Slowly add 100mL of water to remove any excess acid. Stir.6. Filter using funnel and filter paper.7. Wash crystals with a little ice water.8. Remove crystals and let dry for at least 24 hours.


Procedure Pictures


Results (Part I)

The lab was a success in forming aspirin crystals.

Crystals were small, white granules.


Materials (Part II)

Ring Stand Buret and Buret Clamp Erlenmeyer Flask Lab-Made Aspirin Western Family Aspirin Bayer Aspirin 0.1 N NaOH Phenolphthalein


Procedure (Part II)

1. Find weight of aspirin tablets2. Dissolve tablets in 50 mL of distilled water.3. Add several drops of phenolphthalein4. Titrate with standardized 0.1 N NaOH solution until

endpoint is reached.5. Record volume of base6. Calculate concentration of acetylsalicylic acid.


Calculations

Bayer:

Western Family:

Lab-Made:


Results (Part II)

Bayer was the most concentrated solution in 50mL of water, followed by the lab-made aspirin, and then Western Family

Results may have been skewed due to buffer found in commercially produced aspirin, and aspirin’s low solubility in water.


Conclusion

The lab was successful in producing aspiring and testing its strength. As expected Bayer was the strongest, but the lab-made aspirin was second instead of the other commercial brand, which was the third most concentrated. The results, however, may have been skewed due to the buffer found in commercial grade aspirin and acetylsalicylic acid’s low solubility in water.


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Synthesis and Strength Test of Aspirin Ian Fucci