[1forest1]

Is the reaction for the synthesis of aspirin with salicylic acid and acetic anhydride a reversible reaction?? could equilibrium be used to explain why the percentage yield is low??

[Arkcon]

Start by writing the reaction out.  See if something about the products or reactants makes a reverse reaction unlikely.

[1forest1]

im not quite sure what you mean. I know the the reactants are salicylic acid and acetic anhydride and the products formed are aspirin and acetic acid. But isn't that an esterification reaction?? and I thought those were reversible

[Arkcon]

This reaction?:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspirin#Synthesis

No, its not reversible.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ester#Alcoholysis_of_acyl_chlorides_and_acid_anhydrides

[1forest1]

thanks, just got myself a bit confused