Question

From where aspirin is obtained?

Answer 1

Aspirin:

• Aspirin is also known as acetylsalicylic acid.
• The IUPAC name of Aspirin is 2-Acetoxybenzoic acid.
• The chemical formula of aspirin is ${\mathrm{C}}_9{\mathrm{H}}_8{\mathrm{O}}_4$.

Preparation of aspirin from phenol:

Step 1: Preparation of Salicyclic acid

• Phenol is treated with sodium hydroxide and carbon dioxide in an acidic medium and results in the formation of salicylic acid.
• The chemical reaction can be depicted as:

Step 2: Preparation of Aspirin

• When salicylic acid reacts with acetic anhydride in the presence of sulphuric acid, aspirin is obtained.
• The chemical reaction can be depicted as: