| MadSci Network: Chemistry |
Aspirin is a terribly simple material to make. Salicylic acid is acetylated with acetic anhydride in toluene in monstrous 1500-gallon tanks. The acetylated product crystallizes out of the toluene solution on cooling. There is an absolutely fantastic description of the manufacturing of aspirin, from olden times to the present, at: http://bengu-pc2.njit.edu/trp-chem/aspirins/amain.htm
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