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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Duckie on February 26, 2008, 04:36:07 PM

Title: Equation for decomposition of aspirin?
Post by: Duckie on February 26, 2008, 04:36:07 PM

This may be a really silly question, but I've got the equation for hydrolysis of acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) :

CH3COO.C6H4.COOH + H20 --> HO.C6H4.COOH  + CH3COOH
(ASA + Water --> Salicylic acid + Acetic Acid)

I was wondering, would the equation be the same for decomposition of ASA?
Because I know that ASA decomposes back down to SA and AA (well... I think, it does...) but I don't know whether water is needed for too...

Thanks!

Title: Re: Equation for decomposition of aspirin?
Post by: ARGOS++ on February 26, 2008, 05:37:03 PM

Dear Duckie;

It depends how you like to define “Decomposition”?
In a certain kind also “Hydrolysis” is Decomposition, because if it takes place no or less ASA will be left.
If you’re talking about “Thermal Decomposition”, then you know that you can not “first go” for water (Maybe above 100°C).
Conclusion: In this case it must be another “process”/reaction.

I hope to have been of help to you.

Good Luck!
                    ARGOS⁺⁺