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• Aspirin is synthesized from the first extraction from willow bark and is one of the most commonly used medicines around the world.
• Aspirin has multiple different ways of use and is a weak acid.
• The synthesis of aspirin involves the reaction of salicylic acid and acetic anhydride, which produces aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and acetic acid (ethanoic acid).
• The esterification reaction involves the splitting of the acetic anhydride molecule, where one part replaces the hydrogen atom of the –OH group on the salicylic acid and the other accepts the hydrogen atom to form acetic acid.
• The esterification reaction requires an acid catalyst and produces white odourless crystals (aspirin).
• Aspirin is primarily used as a pain reliever, fever reducer and anticoagulant.
• Aspirin is an everyday pain reliever for many, as it relieves mild to moderate pain and inflammation.
• Side effects of aspirin include irritation of stomach, ulcers if overused, blood thinning, and allergies.
• Bayer held the patent on the synthesis of Aspirin from 1899 until the 1930s.
• Aspirin became a generic drug in the 1930s.
• Drug companies, as a whole, must ensure they are producing a high yield and a very pure sample.
• Improvement of purity in the production of aspirin comes from the recrystallisation process.
• Aspirin has no specific target, so it inhibits the production of prostaglandins throughout the body, so all pain and fever is treated.
• Prostaglandins are substances created by cells in the body when experiencing trauma, resulting in the sensation of pain, swelling and sometimes fever.
• The solubility of aspirin can be increased by reacting it with NaOH aqueous solution, producing an ionic salt known as Soluble Aspirin.
• Aspirin is only slightly soluble in water due to a non-polar phenyl group.
• Aspirin is chemically modified into a salt to increase its solubility in water.
• Aspirin can also be taken as a prophylactic to slow or prevent the formation of a blockage in the first place.
• Ionic salts of soluble aspirin are more soluble and form stronger ion-dipole interactions with water.
• Dissolving the acetylsalicylic acid in sodium hydroxide, the hydrogen on the carboxyl functional group is replaced by a sodium ion.
• Aspirin works as an anticoagulant by causing platelets to clump together, preventing the leak of blood.
• Aspirin and alcohol have a synergistic effect, with each drug having a higher medicinal effect when taken together.
• Aspirin inhibits the enzyme which creates prostaglandins, called cyclooxygenase (COX), resulting in the sensation of pain, swelling and sometimes fever.
• Purity can be tested using infrared spectroscopy to determine if the sample tested contains the type of bonds expected in aspirin.
• Purity in the production of aspirin can also be tested through melting point and melting point range.
• Overuse of antibiotics leads to antibiotic resistance, which is a significant threat to public health.
• Penicillin does not affect the cell wall of animal cells because they don’t have transpeptidase.
• Antibiotics are used to treat and control bacterial infections in livestock, just like in humans.
• On the other hand, without patient compliance, taking less than the needed dosage, results in killing weak bacteria and leaving the strong bacteria.
• Penicillin-resistant bacteria, also known as “superbugs”, pose a significant threat to public health.
• Penicillin can be used to treat skin infections, dental infections, ear infections, infections of the nose, throat or lungs, and urinary tract infections.
• Penicillin binds to a protein called transpeptidase, preventing the creation of the cell wall.
• Penicillin and other antibiotics are used because HIV patients are more susceptible to bacterial infections.
• In order to combat this, the R-groups and side chains were modified to become larger.
• Penicillin is used as an antibiotic for bacterial infections, but can be taken to help treat HIV patients.
• Over-prescription or over-dosage of penicillin results in penicillin-resistant bacteria.
• Penicillinase and beta-lactamase are enzymes produced by infectious bacteria with the purpose of destroying the beta-lactam ring.
• HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus, it is a viral infection with no current cure, the only known prevention is immunisation.
• Penicillin G, also known as benzyl penicillin, has a benzene ring that is non-polar and insoluble in acidic conditions.
• Converting aspirin to a ionic salt does not increase bioavailability.