Question

Aspirin can be made in the laboratory by reacting acetic anhydride (C4H6O3) with salicylic acid (C7H6O3) to form aspirin (C9H8O4) and acetic acid (C2H4O2). The balanced equation is C4H6O3+C7H6O3→C9H8O4+C2H4O2 In a laboratory synthesis, a student begins with 2.80 mL of acetic anhydride (density=1.08g/ml) and 1.24 g of salicylic acid. Once the reaction is complete, the student collects 1.21 g of aspirin.

Part A) Determine the limiting reactant for the reaction.

acetic anhydride or salicylic acid

Part B) Determine the theoretical yield of aspirin for the reaction.

Part C) Determine the percent yield of aspirin for the reaction.

Answer 1