Final answer:
Acetaminophen is formed from 4-aminophenol and acetic anhydride through an acetylation reaction, with acetic acid as the byproduct. Acetaminophen is less likely to cause side effects compared to aspirin but can lead to liver damage in the case of overdose.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chemical reaction for the formation of acetaminophen from 4-aminophenol and acetic anhydride is as follows:
4-aminophenol + acetic anhydride → acetaminophen + acetic acid
This reaction involves the acetylation of the amine group on the 4-aminophenol molecule by acetic anhydride. The byproduct is acetic acid.
Acetaminophen, which is also known as 4'-hydroxyacetanilide, is widely used in over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol. While it usually has fewer side effects than aspirin, an overdose can lead to serious liver damage.