[hackerdiety03]

hello!  I am a chem. major in college.  I recently did an experiment of synthesizing aspirin.  catalysts were used in the beginning process, like pyridine, boron trifluoride methanol, and sulfuric acid.  we later did a recrystallization to measure the pure product of aspirin

MAIN QUESTION: Hydrochloric acid is about as strong a mineral acid as sulfuric acid.  Why would it not be satisfactory catalyst in this reaction?

ANSWER:  HCL is too strong of an acid and would destroy the reactants in the process.  Not sure about my answer.    

 

[Mitch]

Sulfuric acid isn't as nucleophilic as HCl would be an other reason. The answer will depend on what the mechanism is.

[hackerdiety03]

Isn't related to how Cl is more electronegative than O?  Won't HCL not carry on the reaction to later make aspirin?

[Mitch]

depends on the mechanism.