In this lab, you will synthesize aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) using an esterification reaction. By combining acetic anhydride and salicylic acid, the hydroxyl group on the aromatic ring in salicylic acid will react with the acetic anhydride to form an ester functional group attached to the salicylic acid and acetic acid as the second product.
Once you have synthesized the aspirin, you will analyze it to determine the purity of your product.