To determine the theoretical yield of aspirin, we need to know the balanced chemical equation for the reaction between salicylic acid and acetic anhydride, which produces aspirin and acetic acid. The balanced chemical equation is:
C7H6O3 + C4H6O3 → C9H8O4 + C2H4O2
From the balanced equation, we can see that the molar ratio between salicylic acid and aspirin is 1:1. Therefore, if we know the amount of salicylic acid used, we can determine the theoretical yield of aspirin.
The molar mass of salicylic acid is 138.12 g/mol and the molar mass of aspirin is 180.16 g/mol. Therefore, the number of moles of salicylic acid present in 2.196 g can be calculated as:
2.196 g / 138.12 g/mol = 0.0159 mol
Since the molar ratio of salicylic acid to aspirin is 1:1, the theoretical yield of aspirin would be 0.0159 mol.
The mass of this amount of aspirin can be calculated as:
0.0159 mol x 180.16 g/mol = 2.86 g
Therefore, the theoretical yield of aspirin is 2.86 g.