[Robbie]

Why is Acetic acid used as a solvent in the industrial synthesis of aspirin? Acetic acid is also produced via the reaction between salicylic acid and acetic anydride. I’m assuming during crystallisation the acetic acid holds the unreacted salicylic acid and other impurities in solution and allows the aspirin to crystallize our with little to no impurities. Help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[chenbeier]

Why to use a different solvent, if acetic acid does the job. And it is also beside ASS a product.