Aspirin Synthesis: Yield and Description
Chemistry discussion, revision, exam and homework help.
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Aspirin Synthesis: Yield and Description
I really need help on this today, or at the latest, I need it by 12pm Tuesday 23rd. So I'd really appreciate if anyone could help and + rep to anyone who does, as a little thank you

I have an experiment on Aspirin synthesis, and I really need help with 2 questions.
1) Calculate the the percentage yield (based on moles) of crude aspirin.
Information I am given:
Molar mass of salicylic acid = 138
Molar mass of asprin = 180
I know how to calculate percentage yield. My question is what percentage should I be expecting, roughly?
2) Describe Aspirin (after crystalisation)
What should I expect it to look like? i.e what is the mark scheme likely to be looking for.
Edit: Also, if anyone can link to a mark scheme for a practical on Aspirin synthesis I would be eternally grateful, thanks.Last edited by Freyma; 23-04-2012 at 19:21. -
Re: Aspirin Synthesis: Yield and DescriptionI'd expect anything between 60-80% yield to be honest. Depends on how many steps and what purification methods you used.(Original post by Freyma)
x
As for the appearance, again depending on purification method either a white powder or a white crystalline solid. -
Re: Aspirin Synthesis: Yield and DescriptionThanks for the response. I used a Büchner funnel twice to purify it. How will this effect my results?(Original post by illusionz)
I'd expect anything between 60-80% yield to be honest. Depends on how many steps and what purification methods you used.
As for the appearance, again depending on purification method either a white powder or a white crystalline solid. -
Re: Aspirin Synthesis: Yield and DescriptionIf you didn't perform a recrystallisation then I'd expect you've got a powder rather than crystals right?(Original post by Freyma)
Thanks for the response. I used a Büchner funnel twice to purify it. How will this effect my results?
Also assuming you only washed the solid with cold solvent on the funnel your yield should be fairly good. -
Re: Aspirin Synthesis: Yield and DescriptionI did do a recrystallisation.(Original post by illusionz)
If you didn't perform a recrystallisation then I'd expect you've got a powder rather than crystals right?
Also assuming you only washed the solid with cold solvent on the funnel your yield should be fairly good. -
Re: Aspirin Synthesis: Yield and DescriptionOh, you just said you used a Buchner Funnel which isn't very descriptive!! If you did a recryst then you should have some nice shiny white crystals. However a recryst can do horrible things to your yield so could be anything from 50% upwards really.(Original post by Freyma)
I did do a recrystallisation. -
Re: Aspirin Synthesis: Yield and DescriptionI'm Sorry.(Original post by illusionz)
Oh, you just said you used a Buchner Funnel which isn't very descriptive!!
Okay, thank you for the help.(Original post by illusionz)
If you did a recryst then you should have some nice shiny white crystals. However a recryst can do horrible things to your yield so could be anything from 50% upwards really. -
Re: Aspirin Synthesis: Yield and DescriptionI plan to. However, I wouldn't have used the words "crystaline solid" had I not made this thread. That was my purpose. To get the terminology right(Original post by mytutoring)
it could depend on a whole lot of things, just write up your results as you found them. embelishing can result in v serious consiquences. if this is an UG course you can fail for making data up.
