S6Expt6.10/05-06/P.

1
Experiment 6
Analyzing aspirin tablets

Aim
To determine the mass of aspirin (2-ethanoylhydroxybenzoic acid or acetylsalicylic acid) in commercial
aspirin tablets.

Requirements
Eye protection
Aspirin tablets (3 Bayer aspirin tablets or 4 Anacin tablets)
Pipettes (5 cm3 and 25 cm3) and safety filler
Burette and stand
Small beaker
Standard flasks (250 cm3)
Conical flask (250 cm3)
Measuring cylinders (25 cm3 and 10 cm3)
Small funnel
Bunsen burner
Tripod and gauze
Approximately 1.0 mol dm-3 sodium hydroxide solution (corrosive) (30 cm3),
0.10 mol dm-3 standard hydrochloric acid (150 cm3),
phenolphthalein indicator
(highly flammable solution)

Introduction

Aspirin is an analgesic and antipyretic drug. Analgesics are drugs which relieve pain. Antipyretics are
drugs which lower body temperature.

The main constituent of aspirin tablets is 2-ethanoylhydroxybenzoic acid (acetylsalicylic acid,

CH3COOC6H4COOH). The acidic conditions in the stomach do not affect aspirin. However, the alkaline
juices in the intestines hydrolyse aspirin to ethanoate (acetate) ions and 2-hydroxybenzoate (salicylate)
ions.

CH3COOC6H4COOH + 2 OH- → CH3COO- + HOC6H4COO- + H2O

Salicylates lower body temperature rapidly and effectively in feverish patients (antipyretic action), but
have little effect if the temperature is normal. They are also mild analgesics, relieving certain types of pain
such as headaches and rheumatism.

Although the toxic dose from salicylates is relatively large, their uncontrolled use could be dangerous.
Single doses of 5 to 10 g of salicylate have caused death in adults, and 12 g taken over a period of twenty-
four hours produces symptoms of poisoning. (A single aspirin tablet containing 0.3 g of acetylsalicylic acid
would produce 0.25 g of salicylate when hydrolyzed.)
 S6Expt6.10/05-06/P.2

Principle

The object of this experiment is to determine the percentage of 2-ethanoylhydroxybenzoic acid

(acetylsalicylic acid) in aspirin tablets. A known amount of standard sodium hydroxide solution is used in
excess to hydrolyze a known mass of aspirin tablets.

CH3COOC6H4COOH + 2 NaOH → CH3COONa + HOC6H4COONa + H2O

The unused sodium hydroxide which remains is then titrated with standard acid. The amount of alkali
required for the hydrolysis can now be calculated and from the above equation, the amount in moles of
acetylsalicylic acid which has been hydrolysed can be found.

CARE!
Eye protection must be worn

1. Measure 2.50 cm3 of approximately 1.0 mol dm-3 NaOH to a conical flask. Titrate this against 0.10
mol dm-3 standard hydrochloric acid using phenolphthalein indicator. Record your results.

2. Put the aspirin tablets (Bayer and Anacin claimed to contain 0.5 g and 0.4 g per tablet respectively)
provided into a clean conical flask.
Measure 25.00 cm3 of the approximately 1.0 mol dm-3 NaOH on to the tablets, followed by about
the same volume of distilled water. Warm the mixture very gently on a tripod and wire gauze over
a Bunsen for 10 minutes to hydrolyze the acetylsalicylic acid.

3. Cool the mixture and transfer with washings to a 250.00 cm3 standard flask and make up to the
mark with distilled water.

4. Measure 25 cm3 the hydrolyzed solution into a conical flask. Titrate this against 0.10 mol dm-3
hydrochloric acid using phenolphthalein indicator. Record your result.

Assessment on area A will be made in the following areas :

1. correct choice of apparatuses
2. techniques on preparing a standard solution
3. titration technique
4. general impression including cooperation among group members, tidiness, laboratory manner,
independent working ability

Complete the report on the experiment including your results, necessary calculations, conclusion and any
comments on the experiments.