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What's in a Medicine?

Preparing aspirin, filtering under reduced pressure and recrystallisation

  • 2 things to know
  • Components 01, 02 and 03

Overview

Recall questions on the aspirin preparation, Buchner filtration, and each stage of a recrystallisation and why it is done that way.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Numbers

What catalyst is used in the aspirin preparation, how should a recrystallisation solvent treat impurities, and what are the TLC phases?

Key term

Which two organic reagents are used to prepare aspirin in the laboratory?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Which two organic reagents are used to prepare aspirin in the laboratory?

    Model answer

    2-hydroxybenzoic acid, also called salicylic acid, and ethanoic anhydride are used.

  2. 2

    What catalyst is added to the aspirin preparation, and in what quantity?

    Model answer

    A few drops of concentrated sulfuric acid or concentrated phosphoric acid are added.

  3. 3

    Why is water added to the mixture at the end of the aspirin preparation?

    Model answer

    It hydrolyses the excess ethanoic anhydride and causes the sparingly soluble product to crystallise.

  4. 4

    Name the apparatus used to filter a solid product under reduced pressure.

    Model answer

    A Buchner or Hirsch funnel fitted into a filter flask connected to a vacuum pump.

  5. 5

    Give two advantages of filtration under reduced pressure over gravity filtration.

    Model answer

    It is much faster, and it leaves the solid drier because air is pulled through the crystals.

  6. 6

    List the main stages of a recrystallisation in order.

    Model answer

    Dissolve the solid in the minimum volume of hot solvent, filter hot if insoluble impurities are present, cool slowly to crystallise, filter under reduced pressure, wash with a little cold solvent and dry.

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