BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE

PRACTICAL WORK REQUEST FORM

Please note that the practical request and the risk assessment must be carried out
before handing it to a Technician.

Week Number: _____________________________________________________

Lecturer: _____________________________________________________
Title of Practical: 87 THE PREPARATION OF ASPRIN

DAY TIME ROOM QUANTITY REQUIREMENTS

1M 250ml 2-Hydroxybenzenecarboxylic acid (salicylic acid)
0.5M Ethanoic Anhydride
Concentrated Sulphuric
Ethanol
100 cm3 conical flask
250 cm3 beaker
100ml beakers
Buchner flask
Filter Paper
Water baths
Spatulas
Gloves
Thermometer
Ice
Weighing boats
 THE PREPARATION OF ASPIRIN.

Aspirin was the first synthetic drug and is still widely used. Pharmaceutical companies produce over
4 000 million tablets per year in UK. It has many uses including pain relief reduction of fever
symptoms and is prescribed in small regular doses to reduce the risk of heart attacks in some patients.

Compounds such as 2-hydroxybenzenecarboxylic acid (salicylic acid) which have an -OH group
attached to the benzene ring do not form esters very readily by reaction with carboxylic acids. For this
reason the manufacture of aspirin is based upon the reaction of 2-hydroxybenzenecarboxylic acid with
ethanoic anhydride rather than ethanoic acid. This gives a higher yield but ethanoic anhydride is a
much more hazardous compound.

METHOD

GOGGLES MUST BE WORN THROUGHOUT THIS PREPARATION.

Weigh 5.0 g of 2-hydroxybenzenecarboxylic acid into a 100 cm3 conical flask and carefully add 7 cm3
of ethanoic anhydride. (Plastic gloves MUST be worn when handling ethanoic anhydride).
Add 2 to 3 drops of concentrated sulphuric acid (handle with great care).

Swirl the contents of the flask thoroughly to ensure mixing and heat on a water bath at about 50 to
60oC for 15 to 20 minutes swirling occasionally.

Allow to cool and add 75 cm3 of water, stir well and filter under reduced pressure.

Purification of the crude product.

Place the filtered solid into a 250 cm3 beaker and add 5 cm3 of ethanol and 40 cm3 of water. Heat
gently until the aspirin has all dissolved. Do not boil the solution as this will degrade the aspirin.

If it does not all dissolve when the solution has just reached boiling add more ethanol, 1 cm3 at a time,
until it all dissolves.

Allow the solution to cool slowly. Needle-like crystals of aspirin will form.

When a good crop of crystals have formed, cool thoroughly using an iced water bath and filter under
reduced pressure.

Wash the crystals with a little cold water and leave to dry.

When completely dry weigh accurately and record the mass of the pure aspirin.

Aspirin decomposes below its melting temperature so that melting temperature cannot be used as a
check on purity.

Calculate the theoretical yield and hence the % yield.

 BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE

GENERAL WORK-PLACE RISK ASSESSMENT Person(s) at Risk Degree of Risk

TEACHER’S RISK ASSESSMENT Seriousness x Likelihood = Risk Rating

Employee

Young person

Contractor

Public/client

Other Site User

Fatality

Major Injury

3 Day Injury

Minor Injury
Damage
No Injury

Certain imminent

Very Likely

Likely

Unlikely

Very unlikely

Score *
M, H)
Level of Risk (L,
Name . .Wajid Hussain.....................................................................................

Date...................................................................................................................
Activity Situation...............................................................................................
Area...................................................................................................................
Last Assessment: ………………………………………………………..
Task or Activity Hazards Identified 5 4 3 2 1 5 4 3 2 1
Students misbehaving can cause things to be
1 Student behaviour knocked over / broken / spilled / thrown;
Misuse of apparatus / chemicals
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 6 L
Room hazards when carrying Cuts from broken glass; Possible chemical
apparatus / chemicals around the
laboratory
spillage; Slips from spills on the floor; Trips
from bags being on the floor;
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 6 L
The carrying and usage of Possible glassware breakage and possible
glassware minor injury caused by broken glass
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 4 L
Harmful if swallowed; Causes serious eye
Handling / using Salicylic Acid
damage
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 6 L
Handling / using Glacial Acetic
2
Acid (Ethanoic Acid)
Flammable; Corrosive to skin and eyes ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 8 L
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage;
Dangerous in contact with water, hydrochloric
Handling / using concentrated
acid, sodium, potassium, phosphorus and ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 10 M
Sulphuric Acid
compounds containing chlorate (V) or
manganate (VII)
Highly flammable liquid and vapour; harmful
Handling / using pure Ethanol ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 8 L
if ingested; may cause damage to organs
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage;
Dangerous in contact with water, hydrochloric
Handling / using concentrated
acid, sodium, potassium, phosphorus and ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 10 M
Sulphuric Acid
compounds containing chlorate (V) or
manganate (VII)
Possible burns from the naked flame or from
Using a Bunsen Burner ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 6 L
touching the hot apparatus; Possible fire risk
*Risk Scores 0-8 = Low Risk 9-15 = Medium Risk 16-25 = High Risk
Priority
Hazard Existing Controls Further Action
H, M, L*
Keep class sizes low and if necessary, split large groups and perform experiment over
two sessions; Do not permit any students who are misbehaving into the lab; Ensure Ask students to leave if they are
1 Student behaviour
that students wear the appropriate PPE / tie long hair back and are not eating, misbehaving and call security if required
Medium
drinking or chewing in the labs
Ensure all carrying of apparatus / chemicals is kept to a minimum; Wear full PPE; In case of spillage or breakage: Ask a
Room hazards when carrying
Ensure all student belongings are placed out of the way at the front of the lab and technician to clear away safely; In case of
2 apparatus / chemicals around the
students are aware of any dangers (e.g. wet floor); Make a technician aware of any injury: Seek a first aider / medical
Medium
laboratory
spills or breakages, so they can be cleared away promptly. attention
Glassware bins in situ in laboratories and prep rooms with dust pans and brushes;
In case of a cut / accident: wash the
lab coats, gloves and goggles must be worn; If glass is broken, warn the other
3 Glassware breakage
students of where it is located and keep them away from the broken shards whilst it is
wound with slow flowing water and seek Low
medical help
cleaned up; Ask a technician to assist with cleaning up the glass if required.
Advise students of potential hazards; Wear full PPE including gloves and goggles and
See chemical hazard card 52 for specific
do not remove until all chemicals and apparatus have been cleared away; Work in a
chemical hazards and how to deal with
4 Handling / using Salicylic Acid safe and organised manner; Ensure the laboratory is kept well-ventilated whilst the
spillages and dispose of correctly In case
Low
chemical is in use; Don't inhale dust; Put tops back on bottles after use; Clear away
of an accident: Seek a first aider
spillages immediately; Wash hands after handling
Advise students of potential hazards; Wear full PPE including gloves and goggles and
See chemical hazard card 38A for
do not remove until all chemicals and apparatus have been cleared away; Work in a
specific chemical hazards and how to
Handling / using Glacial Acetic safe and organised manner; Put tops back on bottles after use; Work in a fume
5 Acid (Ethanoic Acid) cupboard; Do not inhale vapours; Keep away from naked flames or sources of
deal with spillages and dispose of Medium
correctly.In case of an accident: Seek a
ignition; Clear away spillages immediately; Wash hands after completing the
first aider
practical
See chemical hazard cards 40A for
Advise students of potential hazards; Wear full PPE including gloves and goggles and
specific chemical hazards and how to
do not remove until all chemicals and apparatus have been cleared away; Handle
deal with spillages and dispose of
large volumes in a fume cupboard; Work in a safe and organised manner; Put tops
correctly.In case of an accident: Seek a
6 Handling / using pure Ethanol back on bottles after use; Do not inhale vapour; Clear away spillages as soon as they
first aiderIn case of a fire: If trained and
Medium
occur; Ensure the laboratory is well ventilated prior to starting the practical; Keep
safe to do so, use the fire extinguishing
well away from any naked flames of sources of ignition; Wash hands after completing
equipment provided, if not, evacuate the
the practical
laboratory and raise the alarm
See chemical hazard card 98A for specific
chemical hazards and how to deal with
Advise students of potential hazards; Wear full PPE including gloves and goggles and do
spillages and dispose of correctly
not remove until all chemicals and apparatus have been cleared away; Work in a safe and
Handling / using concentrated In case of spillage: Neutralise with alkali
organised manner; Avoid contact with skin; Avoid inhaling fumes / vapours; Put tops back Medium
Sulphuric Acid and clear away as soon as it happens; In
on bottles after use; Ask a technician to clear away spillages as soon as they occur; Wash
case of burn: Rinse the affected area with
hands after completing the practical
slow-flowing cold water and seek medical
attention
Advise students of potential hazards; Place long hair in a ponytail; Keep desks free of In case of fire: call the fire brigade and
clutter; Wear full PPE including goggles; Do not use near flammable materials; Keep the evacuate; In case of a burn: Cool under
Using a Bunsen Burner Bunsen on a yellow flame when not in use and switch the gas off as soon you have finished gently-running water for 10 minutes or until Medium
with it; Work in a safe and organised manner; Keep away from the edge of the bench when heat is no longer felt. Seek a first aider /
in use; Leave to cool before putting away medical attention if required
Assessed by ………………………………………………………… Date …………………………… Review Date …………………………..

BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE

GENERAL WORK-PLACE RISK ASSESSMENT Person(s) at Risk Degree of Risk

TECHNICIAN’S RISK ASSESSMENT Seriousness x Likelihood = Risk Rating

Employee

Young person

Contractor

Public/client

Other Site User

Fatality

Major Injury

3 Day Injury

Minor Injury

No Injury Damage

Certain imminent

Very Likely

Likely

Unlikely

Very unlikely

Score *
H)
Level of Risk (L, M,
Name . .P.harji..................................................................................................

Date.....21.6.10..................................................................................................

Activity Situation...............................................................................................
Area...................................................................................................................
Last Assessment: ………………………………………………………..
Task or Activity Hazards Identified 5 4 3 2 1 5 4 3 2 1
Possible glassware breakage and possible
1 The carrying and usage of glassware ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 4 L
minor injury caused by broken glass
Setting up and clearing away Clearing away chemicals and any chemical
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 4 L
practical’s spillage
Transporting practical’s between
Transporting practical’s ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 4 L
classrooms and prep rooms
Harmful if swallowed; Causes serious eye
Handling / preparing Salicylic Acid ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 6 L
damage
Preparing an Acetic Acid (Ethanoic Concentrate is flammable & Corrosive to
2 ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 8 L
Acid) Solution from concentrate skin and eyes
Handling / Dispensing Industrial Highly flammable liquid and vapour;
Denatured Alcohol (IDA) or harmful if swallowed; may cause damage ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 8 L
preparing solutions to organs
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage;
Dangerous in contact with water,
Handling / preparing concentrated
Sulphuric Acid or making solutions
hydrochloric acid, sodium, potassium, ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 10 M
phosphorus and compounds containing
chlorate (V) or manganate (VII)
*Risk Scores 0-8 = Low Risk
9-15 = Medium Risk
16-25 = High Risk
Action Plan

Priority
Hazard Existing Controls Further Action
H, M, L*
Glassware bins in situ in laboratories and prep rooms with dust In case of a cut / accident: wash the wound with
1 Glassware breakage
pans and brushes; lab coats, gloves and goggles must be worn. slow flowing water and seek medical help
Low

Lab coats should be worn fastened up and protective gloves to be In case of a cut / accident: wash the wound with
Setting out / clearing away worn at all times. Use trolleys to transport glassware and chemicals slow flowing water and seek medical help
2 practical’s between labs and prep rooms. Wipe down all lab surfaces and sinks See chemical hazard page for specific chemical
Low
after practical's. hazards and how to dispose of them safely
In case of a cut / accident: wash the wound with
Carry any items in a tray to prevent spillage; if a large practical
slow flowing water and seek medical help
3 Transporting practical’s place items on a trolley for transport and transport at times when
See chemical hazard page for specific chemical
Low
there are the least amount of traffic in the corridors when possible
hazards and how to dispose of them safely
Wear full PPE including gloves and goggles; Label all reagent
bottles with the molarity, the name of the chemical and any hazard
See chemical hazard card 52 for specific
symbols; Don't inhale dust; Only provide enough for the practical
chemical hazards and how to dispose of
4 Handling / preparing Salicylic Acid being performed; Keep stock bottles locked away from student
correctly
Low
access; Ensure the prep room / laboratory is kept well-ventilated
In case of an accident: Seek a first aider
when working with the chemical; Clean up any spills as soon as
they occur; Do not use as medication; Wash hands after handling
Wear full PPE including gloves and goggles before handling; Work
in a safe and organised manner; Only put enough out for the
See chemical hazard card 38A for specific
students to perform the experiment; Keep stock locked away from
Handling / using Glacial Acetic Acid chemical hazards and how to dispose of
5 (Ethanoic Acid)
student access; Work in a fume cupboard; Avoid inhaling vapours;
correctly
Medium
Keep away from naked flames or sources of ignition; Label all
In case of an accident: Seek a first aider
containers with the name of the chemical and the concentration;
Clean away spills as soon as they occur; Wash hands after handling
Wear full PPE including gloves and goggles before handling; Work
See chemical hazard cards 40A for specific
in a safe and organised manner; Only put enough out for the
chemical hazards and how to dispose of
students to perform the experiment; Keep stock locked away from
Handling / Dispensing Industrial correctly
student access; Work in a fume cupboard if handling large
6 Denatured Alcohol (IDA) or
quantities; Avoid inhaling vapours; Keep away from naked flames
In case of an accident: Seek a first aider Medium
preparing solutions In case of a fire: If trained and safe to do so, use
or sources of ignition; Label all containers with the name of the
the fire extinguishing equipment provided, if
chemical and the hazard symbols; Clean away spills as soon as they
not, evacuate the laboratory and raise the alarm
occur; Wash hands after handling
7 Handling / preparing concentrated Wear full PPE including gloves and goggles before handling; Work See chemical hazard card 98A for specific Medium
Sulphuric Acid or making solutions in a safe and organised manner; Only put enough out for the chemical hazards and how to deal with spillages
students to perform the experiment; Avoid contact with skin; Work and dispose of correctly
in a well ventilated prep room / laboratory; Keep stock locked away In case of spillage: Neutralise with alkali and
from student access; Work in a fume cupboard; Avoid inhaling clear away as soon as it happens; In case of
vapours / fumes; Label all containers with the name of the burn: Rinse the affected area with slow-flowing
chemical, the concentration and the hazard symbols; Clean away cold water and seek medical attention
spillages as soon as they occur; Follow CLEAPPS Recipe Sheet 98
 for instructions on how to dilute the acid safely; Wash hands after
handling

Assessed by ……P..harji………………………………… Date ……21.6.10……………………… Review Date 24/4/18…………………………..