Question about Synthesis of Aspirin
1. Draw the structures of salicylic acid and aspirin. Circle and identify the functional groups present in each compound.
3. Sulfuric acid is a catalyst. What does that mean?
5. What safety, environmental and economic considerations would be important to a company manufacturing 1 million pounds of aspirin each year by this procedure? Which ones do you think are most important? Why?
6. The aspirin synthesized in a home experiment should never be taken home for medicinal use. Why not?