Title : Analytical Chemistry Back Titration

Aim : To determine the mass of 2-ethanoylhydroxy-benzoic acid in a commercial brand

of an aspirin tablet by back titration

Theory

Aspirin is an analgesic compound which has to ability to reduce inflammation and

hence acts as both a pain killer and a fever reducer. The active ingredient in

aspirin tablet is 2-ethanoylhydroxy-benzoic acid (acetylsalicylic acid), the ester

linkage in aspirin is hydrolyzed/broken by alkalis to form ethanoate ions and 2-

hydroxybenzoate (salicylate) ions.

CH3COOC6H4COOH + 2OH- CH3COO- + HOC6H4COO- + H2O

An aspirin tablet can be hydrolyzed with excess sodium hydroxide and then back

titrated with hydrochloric acid. The amount of alkali used for the hydrolysis can

then be calculated and from this information, the mass of 2-ethanoylhydroxybenzoic acid in an aspirin
tablet can be determined.

Apparatus

and

Material

: 1. Aspirin tablets

2. Standard 0.2 mol dm-3 NaOH

3. Standard 0.1 mol dm-3 HCl

5. 25 cm3 pipette

6. 3 conical flasks

7. Bunsen burner

4. 50 cm3 burette

8. Phenolphthalein indicator
Procedure

1. 25 cm3 of NaOH was pipetted into a conical flask and one aspirin tablet

was added to this flask. The solution was then warmed gently to allow the

tablet to dissolve.

2. The solution was then cooled, and three drops of Phenolphthalein indicator

was then added to it.

3. This solution was then titrated with hydrochloric acid.

4. Steps 1 to 3 were then repeated until accurate results were obtained.

Observation

s and

Results

Table 1: Volume of HCl used in the titration

Rough Accurate

Final burette reading / cm3

Initial burette reading / cm3

Volume of HCl used / cm3

25 cm3 of aspirin and NaOH required ----- of HCl in the titration.

Discussion

1. Write a balanced equation for the reaction between hydrochloric acid and

sodium hydroxide

2. Calculate the number of moles of NaOH in the 25 cm3 of alkali used.

3. F ind the number of moles of HCl used in the titration

4. How many moles of NaOH reacted with HCl in the titration

5. How many moles of NaOH reacted with the 2-ethanoylhydroxy-benzoic

acid in one aspirin tablet.

6. Calculate the number of moles of 2-ethanoylhydroxy-benzoic acid in one

aspirin tablet.

7. Determine the mass of 2-ethanoylhydroxy-benzoic acid in one aspirin

tablet.

Conclusion :