Synthesis of Oil of Wintergreen and one of antipyretic Druge

In this Experiment we try to learn the students how to :
preparation of Aspirin and Oil of Wintergreen by using simple , available and safe tools in the lab .

learning objective :
the student should know simply how to synthesize acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen)
and to review the concepts of theoretical and percent yields.

Cautions
Acetic Anhydride – corrosive and ( tear gas)– all transfers should be done in the vented fume hood
Methanol, Ethanol – flammable and highly toxic
Salicylic Acid – toxic and irritant
Sulfuric Acid, Phosphoric Acid – highly toxic, corrosive, and an oxidant

Background :
Organic chemistry plays a vital part in the chemical industry as it is used in making petroleum products,
polymers/plastics, pharmaceuticals, and health and beauty aids. Many everyday products are primarily comprised of
organic molecules. Organic molecules are classified by how different atoms are arranged in their structures. For examples, all
alcohols contain a carbon atom bound to an OH group; for example, methyl alcohol is CH3OH. Aspirin and oil of
wintergreen are esters. An ester is an organic compound that contains the molecular connectivity .