In the synthesis of aspirin: Why the the reagents have to be dry?
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"Which following pairs of atoms, have a lower electron affinity? a) Ca,K b) I,F c) Li, Ra. I seriously don't know anything about electron affinity all ik that it can buy another element"
1 Answer
Feb 11, 2018
The synthesis of aspirin requires acetic anhydride.
Acetic anhydride readily reacts with any water it comes in contact with. Even leaving a container of it open can ruin it if there's any humidity in the air.
Any moisture in the flask during the synthesis will split each acetic anhydride molecule into 2 molecules of acetic acid.
