Aspirin that has been stored for a long time may give a vinegar like odour and give a purple colour with FeCl3. What reaction would cause this to happen ?.

Question

asked Aug 28, 2022 200k views

1 Answer

Aps · Answer 1 · 2022-09-01T23:03:10+0000

Answer:

See explanation

Step-by-step explanation:

The IUPAC name of aspirin is 2-Acetoxybenzoic acid. It is composed of an acetoxy moiety and a benzoic acid moiety.

The compound can be hydrolysed under prolonged storage conditions to yield acetic acid which causes the vinegar like odour.

Also, one of the products of this hydrolysis bears a phenol group which reacts with FeCl3 to give a purple color.