Synthesis Of Acetaminophen, Acetylsalicylic Acid And Starch

Small samples of acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid, cellulose, starch, and caffeine were obtained. These samples were then placed into seperate sets of test tubes that contained water, acetone, or dichloroethane. Solubilities were then tested for each sample in each solution which can be seen in Table 5. Next, four random pills were obtained and weights were taken of each. Each of the pills were grinded up using a separate mortar and pestle. The grinded up pills were then weighed. The grinded up pills were placed in separate beakers each containing 10 ml of Acetone. Once the pills had dissolved in the acetone, a vacuum filtration, using a hirsch funnel, was performed in order to separate out the insoluble components of the pill. The solids were
The liquid samples were poured onto the watch glass and left to dry for a week. The dry samples were also kept but were not relevant for our results because of the insoluble characteristics. After one week, the weights of the dried liquid samples on the watch glasses were taken. Four TLC plates were obtained and a line, about 1 cm from the bottom, was drawn across the plate. Each solid on the different watch glasses were scraped to obtain a small sample and placed into test tubes to be dissolved in acetone once again. A TLC chamber was then assembled by using a beaker slightly filled with solvent, 3:6:1 Toluene: EF2O: MeOH. Plates were then spotted along the line at the bottom, using capillary tubes, each with a sample of acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid, and caffeine. Then each plate was individually spotted with a different pill sample that was dissolved in the acetone. These plates were then placed in TLC chambers and allowed the solvent to travel up the plate. Once close to the top, the plate was taken out of the chamber and a line was drawn where the solvent stopped. Once dry, the plates were then observed under a UV light in order to see where each spot traveled up the