If you react 1.5 g of salicylic acid with excess acetic anhydride calculate the theoretical yield of aspirin below.

Answer 1

Reaction taking place in the synthesis of aspirin is,,,

salicylic acid (SA) + acetic anhydride ==> aspirin + acetic acid

molar mass SA = 138 g/mole

molar mass aspirin = 180 g/mol

Theoretical yield:

1.5 g SA x 1 mol/138 g x 1 mol aspirin/mol SA x 180 g/mol = 1.96 g = 2.0 g (2 sig. figs.)