Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello all,

My name is Oat, a student from Prem Tinsulanonda International School in Thailand. I need help regarding my Internal Assesment for chemistry which is worth 20% of my grades.

My question to you is, what types of surroundings or weather could affect the hydrolysis of Aspirin? I currently have one, which is storing Aspirin in a humid environment. I need 5 different storage for Asprin. so it would be brilliant if you could help me suggests more.

Thank you very much


Oat

Hi,

Well, you hit the main one--moisture. In aspirin it is the acetyl group that is hydrolyzed to leave salicylic acid and this can be promoted by either low or high pH, but it does require water.

A couple of other things that come to mind as possible attackers of aspirin are insects such as roaches that seem to eat everything and molds that seem able to grow on anything. This may not strictly qualify as hydrolysis, but it would mean that your aspirin was no good any more.

The only other thing I can think of that might affect your aspirin is if you stored it near a bottle of strong ammonia or muriatic acid, the vapors of which could react with the aspirin molecule and hydrolyze it.

Hope this helps.

Sybee