Final answer:
Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, can be made by the esterification of salicylic acid and acetic anhydride. The molecular mass of an aspirin molecule is 180.15 amu.
Step-by-step explanation:
Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid, is a medication commonly used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. It can be synthesized through an esterification reaction between salicylic acid and acetic anhydride. The equation for this reaction is:
C7H6O3 + C4H6O3 → C9H8O4 + HC2H302
The molecular mass of an aspirin molecule (C9H8O4) is 180.15 amu, which is the sum of the atomic masses of nine carbon atoms, eight hydrogen atoms, and four oxygen atoms. The reaction can be performed under acid catalysis with sulfuric or phosphoric acids.