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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: hackerdiety03 on February 02, 2005, 10:59:49 PM

Title: synthesis of aspirin
Post by: hackerdiety03 on February 02, 2005, 10:59:49 PM

hello!  I am a chem. major in college.  I recently did an experiment of synthesizing aspirin.  catalysts were used in the beginning process, like pyridine, boron trifluoride methanol, and sulfuric acid.  we later did a recrystallization to measure the pure product of aspirin

MAIN QUESTION: Hydrochloric acid is about as strong a mineral acid as sulfuric acid.  Why would it not be satisfactory catalyst in this reaction?

ANSWER:  HCL is too strong of an acid and would destroy the reactants in the process.  Not sure about my answer.    

 

Title: Re:synthesis of aspirin
Post by: Mitch on February 02, 2005, 11:07:59 PM

Sulfuric acid isn't as nucleophilic as HCl would be an other reason. The answer will depend on what the mechanism is.

Title: Re:synthesis of aspirin
Post by: hackerdiety03 on February 02, 2005, 11:13:53 PM

Isn't related to how Cl is more electronegative than O?  Won't HCL not carry on the reaction to later make aspirin?

Title: Re:synthesis of aspirin
Post by: Mitch on February 02, 2005, 11:21:00 PM

depends on the mechanism.