How am I able to solve this problem? I am confused on how to set up the problem?

Question

Calculate the theoretical yield of acetylsalicylic acid from 414 mg of salicylic acid assuming excess acetic anhydride?

This is what I did...

Salicylic Acid Molar Mass

C: 12.01 x 7= 84.07

H: 1.008 x 6= 6.048  à C + H + O = 84.07 + 6.048 + 48.00 = 138.1 g/ mol

O: 16.00 x 3= 48.00

Acetylsalicylic Acid Molar Mass

C: 12.01 x 9 = 108.09

H: 1.008 x 8 = 8.064  à C + H + O = 108.09 + 8.064 + 64.00 = 180.154 g/ mol

O: 16.00 x 4 = 64.00



Answer 1

First write out the full balanced chemical reaction.

Then figure out how many moles of salicylic acid you have in 414mg, then figure out based on balanced chemical reaction how many moles of product you have, then convert back to grams of product. Your answer is the theoretical yield.