Aspirinsynthese durch Acetylierung von Salicylsäure

Das weltweit am häufigsten verwendete Analgetikum

Pharmaceutical & Drug Manufacturing Global Industrial Scale $1.3 billion

Übersicht

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is manufactured through the acetylation of salicylic acid with acetic anhydride. First synthesized by Felix Hoffmann at Bayer in 1897, aspirin remains one of the most consumed medications worldwide. The industrial process uses batch reactors with precise temperature control to achieve high yields and pharmaceutical-grade purity. Annual consumption exceeds 40,000 tons globally, used as an analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet agent.

Chemischer Prozess

Salicylic acid reacts with acetic anhydride in the presence of an acid catalyst (phosphoric or sulfuric acid) at 85-90 degrees C. The product is purified by recrystallization from ethanol-water mixtures.

C₇H₆O₃ + (CH₃CO)₂O → C₉H₈O₄ + CH₃COOH

Rohstoffe

  • Salicylic acid (C₇H₆O₃) — Kolbe-Schmitt reaction from phenol (Reactant)
  • Acetic anhydride ((CH₃CO)₂O) — Ketene process (Acetylating agent)
  • Phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) — Wet process from phosphate rock (Catalyst)

Endprodukte

  • Acetylsalicylic acid (C₉H₈O₄) — Analgesic and antiplatelet drug (USP grade, >99.5% purity)
  • Acetic acid (CH₃COOH) — Recycled or sold as byproduct (Recovered by distillation)
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Environmental Impact

The synthesis generates acetic acid as a byproduct, which is typically recovered and recycled. Solvent use in recrystallization contributes to VOC emissions, though modern plants use closed-loop solvent recovery. Overall environmental footprint is moderate compared to more complex pharmaceuticals.

Sicherheitshinweise

Neuere Innovationen

Continuous flow synthesis methods have been developed to replace traditional batch processing, offering better heat transfer, reduced reaction times, and improved safety.
Green chemistry approaches using ionic liquid catalysts are being explored to eliminate acid waste.

Produktionsmaßstab

44000

Tonnen/Jahr

$1.3 billion

Marktwert

Mehr in Pharmaceutical & Drug Manufacturing

Frequently Asked Questions

What industry uses Aspirinsynthese durch Acetylierung von Salicylsäure?
Aspirinsynthese durch Acetylierung von Salicylsäure is used in the pharmaceutical & drug manufacturing sector at global industrial scale scale.
What process is involved in Aspirinsynthese durch Acetylierung von Salicylsäure?
Salicylic acid reacts with acetic anhydride in the presence of an acid catalyst (phosphoric or sulfuric acid) at 85-90 degrees C. The product is purified by recrystallization from ethanol-water mixtures.
What is the economic significance of Aspirinsynthese durch Acetylierung von Salicylsäure?
Aspirinsynthese durch Acetylierung von Salicylsäure has a market value of $1.3 billion and annual production of 44,000 tons.
What is the environmental impact of Aspirinsynthese durch Acetylierung von Salicylsäure?
The synthesis generates acetic acid as a byproduct, which is typically recovered and recycled. Solvent use in recrystallization contributes to VOC emissions, though modern plants use closed-loop solvent recovery. Overall environmental footprint is moderate compared to more complex pharmaceuticals.
What raw materials are used in Aspirinsynthese durch Acetylierung von Salicylsäure?
The main raw materials include: Salicylic acid (C₇H₆O₃), Acetic anhydride ((CH₃CO)₂O), Phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄).