[Chemistry] Effects of iron (III), and iodine on esters

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the effects of iron (III) and iodine on acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and salicylic acid, particularly focusing on observed color changes during experiments with crude and commercial samples. The scope includes experimental observations and potential explanations for the results obtained.

Discussion Character

  • Experimental/applied
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • The participant observed different color changes when testing crude and commercial aspirin with iron (III) and iodine, noting specific colors for each combination.
  • There is uncertainty regarding the composition of commercial aspirin, with one participant suggesting it may contain additional substances like ascorbic acid, which could affect the results.
  • The participant expressed confusion about why the commercial aspirin with iodine turned olive green instead of the expected dark purple, and why the salicylic acid with iron (III) turned dark purple.
  • Another participant questioned the assumption that starch was the only additive in commercial aspirin, indicating that other components could influence the outcomes.
  • The participant indicated that they had resolved most of their questions except for the iodine tests, seeking further explanations for those specific results.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the reasons behind the observed color changes, and multiple competing views regarding the composition of commercial aspirin and its effects remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in understanding the specific additives in commercial aspirin and their potential interactions with iron (III) and iodine, as well as the implications of these interactions on the observed results.

Sean1218
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More specifically, on acetylsalicylic acid (both crude/made in class, and commercial/store-bought), and salicylic acid. Please hang with me, I'll get to my question in a second.

I did these tests:

Crude aspirin w/ iron (III): Translucent, light peach in colour
Crude aspirin w/ iodine: Cloudy, orange in colour

Commercial aspirin w/ iron (III): Cloudy, violet in colour; no change after adding a few drops of NaOH
Commercial aspirin w/ iodine: Opaque, dark, olive green in colour [this one should be dark purpley, so something went wrong]

Salicylic acid w/ iron (III): Opaque, dark purple in colour

Basically, I have to determine why I got the results I did (i.e. colour changes). Mainly why the commercial aspirin w/ iodine turned olive green, but crude aspirin was orange (since they contain starch it should be dark purpley, so what could have happened?), and why the salicylic acid w/ iron (III) turned dark purple.

Explanations for the crude/commercial aspirin with iron, and why adding NaOH didn't have any effect with the commercial would also be helpful if you know, but I mainly just need the other ones.

I did a bit of research for other tests that I ran (not listed) and managed to answer those, but these are the ones that I haven't been able to find much on.

So, any help would be great!
 
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One thing that immediately jumps to mind is that commercial aspirin may contain many things, depending on brand - are you sure it is just starch that is added? Perhaps what you had was aspirin with ascorbic acid?
 
Well, I don't know starch was added, but my teacher said it should be dark purple, so I assumed.
 
Ok, I managed to answer most of them. All except for the iodine tests. I have no idea why it turned out the way it did. Anyone care to explain?
 

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