Question

Explain why it is necessary to quench (add hot water) at the end of the aspirin synthesis. Please include a reaction scheme to support your answer. (3 pts)

Options:
a. To accelerate the reaction rate
b. To neutralize excess reagents
c. To prevent side product formation
d. To crystallize the aspirin product

Answer 1

Quenching with hot water at the end of the aspirin synthesis prevents side product formation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reason it is necessary to quench (add hot water) at the end of the aspirin synthesis is to prevent side product formation. When aspirin is synthesized using salicylic acid and acetic anhydride, there is a possibility of forming impurities or side products. Quenching with hot water helps to dissolve and remove these impurities, ensuring a purer product.

Here is the reaction scheme for the synthesis of aspirin:

Salicylic acid + Acetic anhydride --> Aspirin + Acetic acid