Transforming Bengay into Aspirin Chemical Reaction Equation Introduction The goal of this experiment is to transform bengay into acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). This process consists of 1) isolating methyl salicylate from the rest of the ointment, 2) hydrolyzing methyl salicylate, and 3) reacting the salicylic acid with acetic anhydride to form acetylsalicylic acid. Methyl salicylate and menthol are extracted by methanol because the other inactive compounds are not soluble in it. The former is then isolated through acid-base extraction since […]
