Table of Contents:
Background…………………………………………………………………………………………………………3
Safety Instructions……………………………………………………………………………………………….4
Materials……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..4
Reaction Mixture and Heating Process………………………………………………………………….5
Isolation of Crude Acetaminophen………………………………………………………………………..5
Decolorization of Crude Acetaminophen……………………………………………………………….5
Crystallization of Pure Acetaminophen…………………………………………………………………6
References…………………………………………………………………………………………………………...7

Table of Figures:
Figure 1 -- Synthesis of Acetaminophen…...…...…………..……………………………..……………3
Figure 2 -- Safety Goggles..……………………..………………………………………………..……………4
Figure 3 -- Lab Gloves…………..………………..………………………………………………..……………4
Figure 4 -- …show more content…
It can be found as the active ingredient in medicines like Tylenol and Panadol. Acetaminophen functions as an analgesic (pain-reliever) by reducing the production of prostaglandins - chemicals that cause inflammation and swelling. Acetaminophen and aspirin act in similar ways, so why do some people use acetaminophen over aspirin? Acetaminophen lacks aspirin’s blood-thinning effects, is less irritating to the stomach, and can be used by people who are allergic to aspirin. Acetaminophen was mainly created as an alternative to aspirin for children and produced in a method called synthesis. Synthesis is a procedure that involves taking a crude solid piece of acetaminophen and purifying it through several processes, including heating, isolation, decolorization, and crystallization. Acetaminophen is created from the reaction of p-aminophenol and acetic anyhydride, as shown in Figure …show more content…
Collect the purified acetaminophen by pouring the solution over a Hirsch funnel and use vacuum filtration again to pull out the excess liquid off of the acetaminophen. See Figure 4.
5. Dry the crystals using continuous suction for 5-10 minutes.

Crystallization of Acetaminophen
1. Transfer the purified product into a Craig tube and crystallize the material using a solvent mixture made up of half water and half methanol.
2. Add small portions of the hot solvent until the solid dissolves
3. After the solid has dissolved, place the Craig tube in a 10-mL Erlenmeyer flask and insert the inner plug of the Craig tube. See Figure 5.
4. Once the mixture has reached room temperature, move the Craig tube to an ice-water bath for a few minutes.
Note: If the acetaminophen is not crystallizing, gently scratch the inside of the Craig tube with a micro-spatula.
5. Since acetaminophen may crystalize slowly from the solvent, make sure to leave it in the ice-water bath for at least 10 minutes.
6. Transfer the assembly to a centrifuge and run the centrifuge for a few minutes.
7. Remove the Craig tube, collect the crystals on a watch glass, and allow the purified and synthesized acetaminophen to