components of aspirin lab questions

1. what problem would you have if you initally used acetone to extract the conponents if Anacin?

2. how can you tell if you have the right conditions to precipitated all the aspirin out of solution at the end of the extraction?

In this experiment, you will separate the components of Anacin via an extractive process. This separation will be accomplished by taking advantage of the fact that each component contains different functional groups which will react differently when treated with a specific reagent. Anacin tablets contain a mixture of aspirin and caffeine, along with a binder. The binder, a neutral substance usually made of silica gel, starch, or microcrystalline cellulose, is used to hold the tablet together after packaging, shipping and while it is being swallowed. The binder is not soluble in water or common organic solvents. Here are the structures of aspirin and caffeine CH3 6-H H3C . CH3 Aspirin Caffeine To separate the components of Anacin one must first get rid of the binder and then use the different solubility properties to separate the Aspirin from the caffeine