Properties of Analgesics

DATA TABLES:

table1

table2

Observation of the Filtering Paper:

When the first filtering took place (filtering of aspirin), it left powdered aspirin behind. This was the insoluble materials of aspirin. The other two produced the same results, leaving behind insoluble particles. The buffered aspirin seemed to take longer to filter, followed closely by acetaminophen. The aspirin took the shortest amount of time.

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

The masses of the four tablets for each analgesic was: aspirin tablets were 1.929g; buffered aspirin was 2.810g; and acetaminophen was 2.194g. After filtering, the mass of the insoluble material for aspirin was 0.637g; buffered aspirin was 0.676g; and acetaminophen was 0.733g. The pH change varied from each analgesic. For aspirin, the pH never changed when base was added. The buffered aspirin rose 1.5 on the pH scale after the NaOH was added. For the acetaminophen, the pH level raised by 4. Here is a graph of the pH data:

CONCLUSION

The acetaminophen had the highest mass of insoluble materials, followed by buffered aspirin and aspirin. But, the buffered aspirin had only 24% insoluble material, while the aspirin had 33% and the acetaminophen had 33.4%. The most acidic was aspirin, because it was unaffected by the NaOH. The acetaminophen, however, was affected most by the base. Aspirin is the most acidic of the three, so it should be avoided by those that have stomach coagulation or ulcers, as the acid could make its way into the lining aggravating the stomach. In this case, buffered aspirin could be used, since it contains the least amount of insoluble material. Acetaminophen could be used if one has an allergy to aspirin.

EXTENSIONS

A grain is a metric equivalent to 0.0649 grams. It is 1/7000 of a pound. So for a 300mg dosage of aspirin, one would be taking 4.61 grains of aspirin. For a 325mg dosage (standard Tylenol) of acetaminophen, one would take 5 grains. For 350mg of buffered aspirin, one would take 5.39 grains.

Zachary May

8/23/01

5th