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How can the maximum yield of aspirin be achieved during the synthesis process using salicylic acid and acetic anhydride? What are the factors that affect the yield of the reaction?

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To achieve the maximum yield of aspirin during the synthesis process using salicylic acid and acetic anhydride, several factors must be optimized. These factors include:1. Stoichiometry: Ensure that the reactants are mixed in the correct stoichiometric ratio. For the synthesis of aspirin, one mole of salicylic acid reacts with one mole of acetic anhydride. Using an excess of one reactant can lead to side reactions and decrease the yield.2. Temperature: The reaction should be carried out at an optimal temperature. For the synthesis of aspirin, a temperature of around 85C is suitable. Higher temperatures can cause decomposition of the reactants or products, while lower temperatures can result in incomplete reactions.3. Reaction time: Allow the reaction to proceed for an adequate amount of time to ensure that the reactants have enough time to react completely. For the synthesis of aspirin, a reaction time of around 20 minutes is typically sufficient.4. Catalyst: Use a catalyst to increase the reaction rate and improve the yield. In the case of aspirin synthesis, a small amount of concentrated sulfuric acid  H2SO4  or phosphoric acid  H3PO4  can be used as a catalyst.5. Purity of reactants: Use high-quality, pure reactants to minimize side reactions and impurities in the final product.6. Isolation and purification: After the reaction is complete, the product must be isolated and purified to maximize the yield. For aspirin synthesis, this typically involves cooling the reaction mixture to precipitate the aspirin crystals, followed by filtration, washing, and drying.7. Minimize side reactions: Some side reactions can occur during the synthesis of aspirin, such as hydrolysis of acetic anhydride to acetic acid. To minimize these side reactions, ensure that the reaction conditions are optimized, and use a suitable solvent, such as anhydrous ethyl acetate.By optimizing these factors, the maximum yield of aspirin can be achieved during the synthesis process using salicylic acid and acetic anhydride.
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