Question

Aspirin that has been stored for a long time may give a vinegar like odour and give a purple colour with FeCl3. What reaction would cause this to happen

?.

Answer 1

See explanation

Step-by-step explanation:

The IUPAC name of aspirin is 2-Acetoxybenzoic acid. It is composed of an acetoxy moiety and a benzoic acid moiety.

The compound can be hydrolysed under prolonged storage conditions to yield acetic acid which causes the vinegar like odour.

Also, one of the products of this hydrolysis bears a phenol group which reacts with FeCl3 to give a purple color.