Synthesis of aspirin on a microscale

A close-up photograph of a pile of white aspirin pills on a blue paper background

Source: © Shutterstock

Use this class practical to produce aspirin in a microscale esterification reaction using phosphoric acid as a catalyst. Includes kit list and safety instructions.

In this experiment, students prepare aspirin from the reaction between salicylic acid and ethanoic anhydride. The esterification reaction is catalysed by phosphoric acid, and forms white crystals.

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