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How to convert phenol into aspirin

The conversion of phenol to aspirin is a classic organic chemistry problem that involves multiple steps and chemical reactions. This article will explore in detail the specific steps of converting phenol to aspirin in order to better understand this chemical conversion process. If you are looking for the answer to 'how will you convert phenol into aspirin', continue reading

1. Preliminary Conversion of Phenol: Phenol to Salicylic Acid

To convert phenol into aspirin, the first step is to convert phenol into salicylic acid. This can be achieved through the Kolbe Schmidt reaction of phenol. The Kolbe Schmidt reaction is a commonly used industrial method for converting phenol to salicylic acid. The specific steps are as follows:

  • Step 1: Carboxylation reaction of phenol
    Reacting phenol with sodium carbonate (Na ₂ CO ∝) to form sodium phenoxide. Then react with carbon dioxide (CO ₂) under high pressure and high temperature conditions (approximately 125-130 ° C, 6-7 atmospheres). The product of this step is sodium salicylate

  • Step 2: Acid to generate salicylic acid
    Acidify sodium salicylate solution (e.g. with hydrochloric acid) to generate salicylic acid< br> The chemical equation is: [ C6H5ONa + CO2 + H2O \rightarrow C7H6O_3 + NaOH ]
    The final product is salicylic acid (C ₇ H ₆ O ∝)

2. Conversion of Salicylic Acid to Aspirin

After obtaining salicylic acid, the next step is to convert it into aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). This step is achieved through the esterification reaction of salicylic acid and acetic anhydride (acetic anhydride):

  • Step 1: Esterification Reaction
    Salicylic acid reacts with acetic anhydride to produce aspirin and acetic acid as by-products. To improve reaction efficiency, a small amount of concentrated sulfuric acid (H ₂ SO ₄) or phosphoric acid is usually added as a catalyst< br> The chemical equation is: [ C7H6O3 + (CH3CO)2O \rightarrow C9H8O4 + CH_3COOH ]
    Among them, C ₉ H ₈ O ₄ is aspirin

  • Step 2: Purification and Crystallization
    After the reaction is completed, aspirin is purified through methods such as filtration, washing, and recrystallization to ensure the purity and quality of the final product

3. Optimization of Reaction and Precautions

There are several key optimizations and considerations in the process of converting phenol into aspirin:

  • Control of reaction conditions
    In the carboxylation reaction of phenol, controlling temperature and pressure has a significant impact on yield and efficiency. Excessive temperature or inappropriate pressure may lead to the generation of by-products, reducing the yield of salicylic acid

  • Selection of Catalysts
    In esterification reactions, the use of suitable catalysts (such as concentrated sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid) can significantly improve the reaction rate and yield. But the amount of catalyst should be moderate, otherwise it may lead to excessive reactions or side reactions

  • Security considerations
    The chemical reagents used in the reaction process, such as acetic anhydride and concentrated sulfuric acid, are corrosive and hazardous. It needs to be conducted in a well ventilated experimental environment and appropriate safety measures should be taken

By following the above steps, the conversion process of 'how will you convert phenol into aspirin' can be achieved. Understanding and mastering the principles and conditions of these chemical reactions is of great significance for chemical production and laboratory synthesis. I hope this article can help you understand clearly how to convert phenol into aspirin