Sodium acetylsalicylate

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Revision as of 03:53, 15 May 2016 by Velzee (Talk | contribs) (Safety)

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Sodium acetylsalicylate, also known as sodium aspirinate, is the sodium salt of acetylsalicylic acid. It is an easy-to-make compound used in the production of other acetylsalicylate salts.

Properties

Chemical

Sodium acetylsalicylate can be added to solutions of metal ions to precipitate insoluble acetylsalicylate salts, such as copper(II) acetylsalicylate.

Physical

Unlike aspirin itself, sodium acetylsalicylate is soluble in water.

Availability

Sodium acetylsalicylate is not a very common compound to be found outside of a lab. It is, however, easily synthesized from aspirin.

Preparation

Sodium aspirinate can be produced by adding an excess of pure acetylsalicylic acid to a solution of sodium carbonate. Sodium hydroxide cannot be used as the base as it will cause hydrolysis of the acetylsalicylic acid into other products. Because sodium acetylsalicylate is much more water-soluble than aspirin itself, excess aspirin can be crystallized out by cooling the solution.

Projects

Handling

Safety

Sodium aspirinate is toxic if ingested in large quantities.

Storage

In closed containers, best away from moisture and air.

Disposal

Can be safely poured down the drain, with lots of water.

References

Relevant Sciencemadness threads