Acetylsalicylic acid

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), also known as Aspirin, is a widely prescribed medicine for the treatment of pain and fever caused by a variety of conditions. One of acetylsalicylic acid’s most important roles is to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. In addition to preventing blood clots, stroke, and myocardial infarction, this medication also reduces platelet aggregation (MI). Long-term acetylsalicylic acid use has been linked to a decreased risk of many cancers, such as colon, stomach, breast and liver as well as lung and prostate. An aspirin is a non-selective COX inhibitor and is available in a wide range of dosages and forms, including chewable pills, sublingual suppositories and extended-release formulations. Accidental poisoning of young children by acetylsalicylic acid is extremely common. Babies and small children should not have access to this item.

Uses of Aspirin

When it comes to the prevention of certain diseases, aspirin is occasionally employed, albeit its effectiveness as a preventative agent is debatable due to the possibility of negative side effects. For example, in high-risk patients, daily intake of low-dose aspirin (75–300 mg) was found to be associated with a lower risk of heart attack or stroke in studies. In addition, studies have discovered that long-term usage of low-dose aspirin may reduce the risk of colon cancer in some people, as well as the chance of death from a variety of cancers, including specific types of colon cancer, lung cancer, and esophageal cancer, in some people. Later research, however, revealed that long-term low-dose aspirin use was more likely to result in complications, such as increased bleeding, than it was to result in a 

Aspirin Formula and Structure

Acetylsalicylic acid has the chemical formula C₉H₈O₄ and is used in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Additionally, the extended formula is CH₃COOC₆H₄COOH, which stands for cyanocobalamin. Furthermore, it has a molecular mass of around 180.159 g mol^-1. Similarly, the molecule of the same type is formed by an aromatic ring with two functional groups at position –orto: the first substituent is carboxylic acid, and the second substituent is an ester group.

When it comes to the molecular geometry of Aspirin, it has a planar configuration. This is owing to the presence of sp² hybridization between the phenyl ring and the carboxylic groups. When written down in the usual representations for organic molecules that we use, the chemical structure of Aspirin is expressed as follows: picture

Physical Characteristics

Acetylsalicylic acid is a colourless to white crystalline substance that is commonly found in food. When crushed, it emits a scent that is comparable to that of vinegar. The hydrolysis of Acetylsalicylic Acid results in the formation of salicylic and acetic acids, which give off a distinct odour. When taken orally, Aspirin has a harsh flavour. It has a density of 1.40 g mL^-1, which is similar to that of water. Acetylsalicylic acid has a melting point of 135 degrees Celsius. As a result, it will degrade if exposed to higher temperatures. The acid is also soluble in a variety of other solvents, including water, ethyl ether, ethanol, and chloroform.

Chemical Characteristics

Its anti-inflammatory properties are what most people are familiar with when it comes to Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA). Because it inhibits the enzyme cyclooxygenase, it has a specific method of action. As a result, it has the effect of suppressing Prostaglandin production (prostaglandins are molecules that are present in the process of inflammation).

Synthesis of Aspirin/Acetylsalicylic acid (C9H8O4)

Step 1: Prepare an Erlenmeyer flask by drying it and adding 3 grams of salicylic acid to the flask.

Step 2: Put 5 to 8 drops of 85% phosphoric acid along with 6 mL of acetic anhydride to the flask.

Step 3: Combine the solution and place the flask in warm water for 15 minutes.

Step 4: To the warm solution, add 20 drops of cold water drop by drop, in a circular motion. (This will eliminate any extra acetic anhydride.)

Step 5: Place the flask in an ice bath to chill the mixture while also speeding up the crystallisation process.

Step 6: After the crystallisation process is complete, pour the slurry into a Buckner funnel.

Step 7: Wash the crystals with ice-cold water to ensure that the product is not lost.

Step 8: To further purify the product, recrystallization is carried out. 10 mL of ethanol should be added to the crystals. Stir the mixture to ensure that the crystals are completely dissolved.

REACTION

Step 9: A 25ml portion of warm alcohol is poured into the container and covered to allow crystals to form as the solution cools down. Once the crystallisation process has begun, place the beaker in an ice bath to prevent it from crystallising again too quickly.

Step 10: The contents of the beaker are poured out, and a suction filtering system is used to remove the contaminants.

Step 11: The surplus water from the crystals is removed by allowing them to dry on dry paper for a period of time.

Step 12: To validate the presence of acetylsalicylic acid, conduct a melting point test at 135°C.

Aspirin and acetylsalicylic acid have a variety of applications (C9H8O4)

• Acetylsalicylic acid is a cyclo oxygenase inhibitor that works by inhibiting the enzyme.
• It is used to prevent thrombosis in the veins and the arteries.
• It is employed in the treatment of a variety of different types of migraines.
• It is utilised as an anti-inflammatory drug for both long-term and acute inflammation, depending on the situation.
• It is believed to lower the overall risk of developing cancer as well as the risk of dying from cancer.
• When someone has suffered a heart attack, aspirin is a vital part of their treatment.
• When treating acute rheumatic fever symptoms like fever and joint pain, this medication is considered first-line therapy.
• Health Consequences Involved with the compound Acetylsalicylic Acid
• Skin or ocular contact, ingestion, and inhalation are all potential exposure routes.
• Symptoms include irritation of the eyes, upper respiratory system, and skin, as well as increased blood clotting time, nausea, and vomiting.
• Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), is a medication that is frequently used to relieve moderate aches and pains and to reduce fever. It is also an anti-inflammatory medication that can be used as a blood thinner in some circumstances.
• Aspirin is not normally suggested for children under the age of 16 because it can increase the probability of Reye’s syndrome, which can occur as a result of an infection such as a cough, the flu, or chicken pox, in these young children. It has the potential to cause lifelong brain damage or even death.

Conclusion

Aspirin is a drug that is widely used all over the world to treat a variety of ailments. Its chemical name is Acetylsalicylic Acid, and it is used to treat pain (ASA). In spite of the fact that it is one of the most ancient and widely used versions of the medicine, it is still widely utilised as an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic medication. We shall go into more detail regarding the Aspirin Formula in the following section.

Heparin is a very popular medication that is widely available throughout the world in enormous amounts. It was in the year 1897 that the Bayer laboratory gave the compound Acetylsalicylic Acid the name Aspirin. It has been in the process of being commercialised since since it was given a name. The most typical applications for this medication are as an anti-inflammatory and an antipyretic.

However, because of its widespread use in recent decades, it has also earned a reputation for being effective in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. Other applications include the treatment of rheumatic fever and Kawasaki disease. Additionally, we use it as an intermediary and raw material in the production of various medicines and chemical compounds such as 4-hydroxycoumarin.