A Level Chemistry Project- the Purity of Aspirin
Purity of Aspirin Objectives - To research, using various sources, the history of aspirin, its use in medicine, methods of synthesizing it and of measuring its purity - To compare the % purity of a branded aspirin tablet with a generic aspirin tablet - To compare 2 methods of composition analysis of the two types of aspirin
Research The history of Aspirin 1 400BC, Greece- Hippocrates recommended the use of a brew made with willow leaves to help with the pain of childbirth. 1763, England- Edward Stone, a clergyman, having read a paper regarding the use of Willow bark on malaria (Agues), collected observations from around the country on its effects in relieving the fever that comes with malaria. 1830’s- a Scottish physician found that willow bark relieved symptoms of acute rheumatism. 1840’s- Organic Chemists identified the active ingredient in willow bark to be salicin.
1874, Dresden, Germany- Salicylic acid was first made and sold as a pain-killer, but it caused severe irritation of the mouth, gullet and the lining of the stomach.
Salicylic acid (2-Hydroxybenzoic acid)
1875- Chemists made sodium salicylate for doctors to try on patients. It was found to have fewer digestive side-effects, and still worked to reduce pain, however it tasted horrible and caused rheumatism patients to vomit. 1890’s, Germany- Felix Hoffman of Bayer pharmaceuticals made aspirin with good medicinal properties, low membrane irritation and a reasonable taste.
Research The history of Aspirin 1 400BC, Greece- Hippocrates recommended the use of a brew made with willow leaves to help with the pain of childbirth. 1763, England- Edward Stone, a clergyman, having read a paper regarding the use of Willow bark on malaria (Agues), collected observations from around the country on its effects in relieving the fever that comes with malaria. 1830’s- a Scottish physician found that willow bark relieved symptoms of acute rheumatism. 1840’s- Organic Chemists identified the active ingredient in willow bark to be salicin.
1874, Dresden, Germany- Salicylic acid was first made and sold as a pain-killer, but it caused severe irritation of the mouth, gullet and the lining of the stomach.
Salicylic acid (2-Hydroxybenzoic acid)
1875- Chemists made sodium salicylate for doctors to try on patients. It was found to have fewer digestive side-effects, and still worked to reduce pain, however it tasted horrible and caused rheumatism patients to vomit. 1890’s, Germany- Felix Hoffman of Bayer pharmaceuticals made aspirin with good medicinal properties, low membrane irritation and a reasonable taste.