Acetylsalicylic Acid Synthesis By: Elizabeth Renteria Theory. This experiment was carried out to see how the hydroxyl group on the benzene ring in salicylic acid reacts with acetic anhydride to form an ester, and to make aspirin. Synthesis of Acetylsalicylic Acid occurs by protonation of carbonyl (C=O) group, and a nucleophilic attack of OH on the acetic anhydride. The ferric chloride test and melting point were used to test the purity of the results. A hypothesized recovery rater of above […]