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Questions and Answers
What should the student do if the reaction mixture does not become colorless after heating at reflux for 15 minutes?
What should the student do if the reaction mixture does not become colorless after heating at reflux for 15 minutes?
Why is it important to ensure there is water going through the condenser during the reaction?
Why is it important to ensure there is water going through the condenser during the reaction?
What is the purpose of heating at reflux in this experiment?
What is the purpose of heating at reflux in this experiment?
What is the purpose of raising the round-bottomed flask carefully after switching off the heat?
What is the purpose of raising the round-bottomed flask carefully after switching off the heat?
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How can the student calculate the theoretical yield of paracetamol in grams?
How can the student calculate the theoretical yield of paracetamol in grams?
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Why is acetic acid formed as a byproduct during the synthesis of paracetamol?
Why is acetic acid formed as a byproduct during the synthesis of paracetamol?
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What is the primary purpose of biological testing after synthesizing new drug molecules?
What is the primary purpose of biological testing after synthesizing new drug molecules?
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What is the principle reaction involved in the synthesis of paracetamol?
What is the principle reaction involved in the synthesis of paracetamol?
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What is the role of water in the preparation of paracetamol according to the given procedure?
What is the role of water in the preparation of paracetamol according to the given procedure?
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Why is it important to analyze and purify synthesized compounds before biological testing?
Why is it important to analyze and purify synthesized compounds before biological testing?
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What is a key task for a chemist when designing new drugs?
What is a key task for a chemist when designing new drugs?
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Study Notes
Synthesis of Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)
- Most available medicines are small organic molecules, and chemists design new drugs by synthesizing new molecules and modifying their structure to obtain the optimum properties.
- Paracetamol is synthesized by reacting 4-aminophenol with acetic anhydride, forming an amide bond and ethanoic acid as a byproduct.
Mechanism of Action
- The reaction mechanism involves the formation of an amide bond between 4-aminophenol and acetic anhydride, resulting in the production of paracetamol and ethanoic acid.
Procedure for Synthesizing Paracetamol
- Add 2.1 g of 4-aminophenol to a round-bottomed flask and 18 mL of water, and then add a magnetic follower.
- Assemble the apparatus for reflux and add 3 mL of acetic anhydride to the mixture.
- Heat the reaction mixture at reflux for 15 minutes, stirring continuously, until it becomes colourless.
- Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, and crude paracetamol should form.
- Filter and purify the product by recrystallization.
Calculations and Yield
- The number of moles of 4-aminophenol = Mass of substance / Mass of one mole = 2.1 g / 109 g/mol
- Calculate the theoretical yield of paracetamol in grams.
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Description
Explore the application of organic chemistry in public health and drug development by synthesizing paracetamol (acetaminophen) in a laboratory setting. Learn about the process of designing and testing new drugs, molecule modification, and analysis techniques.
