Answer to Question #153354 in Organic Chemistry for Eva

Question

A sample of aspirin (acetyl salicyclic acid) of molecular mass 180, on analysis was found to contain 60% carbon, 4.4% hydrogen and 35.6% oxygen

i.Determine the empirical formula of aspirin

ii. What is the molecular formula of aspirin?

iii. State the technique that can be used to determine the molecular weight of aspirin

Answer 1

In boiling the solution, aspirin is hydrolyzed into salicylic acid ad acetic acid. This liberated acids reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium salts. What is the significance of boiling aspirin before titration? To have a sharp endpoint.