Testing our Aspirin

NEWS| GOLD CREST Testing our Aspirin

During the Gold CREST placement at the Chemistry Department of the University of Warwick, some Lower Sixth students were allowed to analyse the aspirin that they had their aspirin, tablet aspirin and pure aspirin (brought from a chemical supplier). The NMR spectrums of each sample was recorded and the results compared. Aspirin is synthesised from salicylic acid (2- hydroxybenzoic acid) and ethanoic anhydride. Towards the end of the Lower Sixth, students who study A level Chemistry make aspirin following a procedure provided by the exam

made. They recorded an infra-red spectrum of board.

The infra-red spectra for the sample, tablet and pure form were virtually identical, showing that the aspirin synthesised at School was relatively pure. This was a fantastic opportunity for the students to test their sample and use their knowledge of spectroscopy to comment on the purity –something that they simply couldn’t do in school!

Mr Kalsi, Chemistry Teacher