Formal Lab Report

Prepared by: [Your Name]

Institution: [Your Company Name]

Date: [Date]

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I. Abstract

Title: Synthesis and Characterization of Aspirin

This experiment aimed to synthesize acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) from salicylic acid and acetic anhydride and to characterize the product using melting point determination and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. The synthesis was successful, yielding aspirin with a melting point consistent with literature values. IR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of functional groups characteristic of acetylsalicylic acid, indicating successful synthesis.

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II. Introduction

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is a widely used analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug. It is synthesized through the esterification of salicylic acid with acetic anhydride, catalyzed by sulfuric acid. This experiment aimed to synthesize aspirin and confirm its structure using melting point analysis and IR spectroscopy.

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III. Materials

• Salicylic acid

• Acetic anhydride

• Sulfuric acid (catalyst)

• Distilled water

• Ethanol

• Ice bath

• Melting point apparatus

• IR spectrometer

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IV. Procedure

• In a 100 mL Erlenmeyer flask, 2.0 g of salicylic acid was mixed with 4.0 mL of acetic anhydride.

• Five drops of concentrated sulfuric acid were added as a catalyst.

• The mixture was heated in a water bath at 75°C for 15 minutes.

• The reaction mixture was cooled in an ice bath, and 20 mL of cold distilled water was added to precipitate the aspirin.

• The solid product was filtered and washed with cold water.

• The crude aspirin was recrystallized from ethanol.

• The melting point of the purified aspirin was determined using a melting point apparatus.

• The IR spectrum of the purified aspirin was recorded and analyzed.

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V. Results

Measurement	Observed Value	Literature Value
Yield of Aspirin	3.5 g	-
Percentage Yield	87.5%	-
Melting Point	135-137°C	136°C
IR Spectrum Peaks
Ester Carbonyl Stretch	~1750 cm−1−1	1750 cm−1−1
Aromatic C-H Stretch	~3000 cm−1−1	3000 cm−1−1

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VI. Discussion

The synthesis of aspirin was successful, yielding a high-purity product with an 87.5% yield, indicating efficient reaction and minimal product loss. The melting point range (135-137°C) matched the literature value (136°C), confirming purity. IR spectroscopy showed characteristic peaks of acetylsalicylic acid, validating the synthesis. This method is effective for producing high-purity aspirin, demonstrating the importance of precise technique and characterization tools. Future work could aim to optimize reaction conditions and explore alternative purification methods.

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VII. Conclusion

The experiment successfully synthesized and characterized aspirin, confirming the product's identity and purity through melting point analysis and IR spectroscopy. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the esterification reaction in producing acetylsalicylic acid and highlights the importance of purification techniques in obtaining a high-purity product.

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