Chemistry Experiment: Percentage Yield

By Zaina 9D
Aim: To be able to synthesize aspirin and obtain the Percentage yield of aspirin (C9H8O4) as
well

Hypotheis: I predict that the percentage yield of the aspirin would be quite low

Variables:

 Dependent variable: the Percentage yield

 Independent variable: Grams of Salicylic acid and Acetic anhydride
 Constant variable: Room temperature, temperature of ice bath

Risks Involved:

*Use extreme caution when handling these chemicals. Phosphoric or sulfuric acid and acetic
anhydride can cause severe burns.

Materials Required:

o 54g (0.39 mol) of Salicylic acid

o 38g (0.37 mol) of Acetic anhydride
o 5-8 drops of 85% phosphoric acid or concentrated sulfuric acid
o Distilled water (about 50 mL)
o Ethanol
o Filter Paper
o Ring stand with funnel
o Two beakers
o Erlenmeyer flask
o Buret
o 10 mL and 50 mL Graduated cylinder
o Hot plate
o Dropper
o Glass rod
o Ice Bath
o Wash bottle

Procedure for the synthesis of Aspirin

1. Accurately measure 54g (0.39 mol) of salicylic acid and transfer to a dry Erlenmeyer flask
2. Add of acetic anhydride and 5-8 drops of 85% phosphoric acid to the flask.
3. Gently swirl the flask to mix the solution. Place the flask in a beaker of warm water for a
while
4. Add 20 drops of cold water dropwise to the warm solution to remove the excess acetic
anhydride
5. Add 20 mL of water to the flask. Set the flask in an ice bath to cool the mixture and speed
crystallization.
6. When the crystallization process appears complete, pour the mixture through a funnel.
7. Apply pressure filtration through the funnel and wash the crystals with a little ice cold water
8. Perform a recrystallization to purify the product. Transfer the crystals to a beaker. Add the
ethanol. Stir and warm the beaker to dissolve the crystals.
9. After the crystals have dissolved, add 25 mL of warm water to the alcohol solution. Cover the
beaker. Crystals will reform as the solution cools. Once crystallization has started, set the
beaker in an ice bath to complete the recrystallization.
10. Remove the crystals by pouring the contents in a funnel to remove excess water

Calculating theoretical yield and Percentage yield

Equation: C7H6O3+ C4H6O3 → C9H8O4 + CH3COOH 
**Calculations on the picture attached on dropbox**

Observations:

Theoretical Yield 34.452

Percentage yield 85.104 %

Actual Yield 29.32