Synthesis of aspirin

Aspirin is synthesized from salicylic acid and acetic anhydride using concentrated sulfuric acid as the catalyst.  The purity of the synthesized aspirin is measured using the ferric chloride test as well as obtaining an FTIR spectrum.

The following lab techniques are demonstrated:

Using a warm water bath
Scratching glass to induce crystallization
Vacuum filtration
Recrystallization
Ferric chloride (FeCl3) test for phenol
FT-IR analysis