Copper(ii) Aspirinate

Hello! This is my first blog post here! Today, I would like to discuss a compound that I find rather interesting, known as copper(ii) aspirinate. It goes by other names, such as copper(ii) acetylsalicylate, as well. Its chemical formula is C36H28Cu2O16 and it has a molar mass of about 843.69 g/mol. There is little information that I can find on the internet about this compound other than how to synthesize it and its possible use as a medication for rheumatoid arthritis. The sample shown in the image was synthesized by myself, starting will aspirin pills. Copper(ii) aspirinate is formed through the reaction of a solution of sodium aspirinate and a solution of copper(ii) sulfate. Copper(ii) aspirinate is insoluble in water, so it precipitates out of the solution and can be filtered out. How I made it using aspirin pills was a slightly longer process, because I had to convert the aspirin into sodium aspirinate.

Sodium Aspirinate Synthesis (2C9H8O4 + Na2CO3 → CO2 + 2C9H7O4Na + H2O):

1. In order to synthesize sodium aspirinate from aspirin pills, I first had to crush up an excess of aspirin pills and prepare a solution of sodium carbonate.
2. Next, I combined the aspirin pills and sodium carbonate, allowing them to react. Sodium aspirinate has a much higher solubility in water than aspirin, so the aspirin powder dissolved.
3. Once the reaction was over, I was left with a solution of sodium aspirinate and leftover aspirin and pill fillers in the bottom of the beaker, which I filtered off.

Copper(ii) Aspirinate Synthesis (2CuSO4 + 4C9H7O4Na → C36H28Cu2O16 + 2Na2SO4): 

1. To start, I prepared a solution of copper(ii) sulfate using an arbitrary amount, but enough to react with most of the sodium aspirinate.
2. Next, I combined the sodium aspirinate solution with the copper(ii) sulfate solution.
3. A brilliant teal precipitation of copper(ii) aspirinate formed, which I filtered off and let dry for a few days.

The first time I attempted this synthesis, I had used too much sodium carbonate and too little aspirin in the formation of sodium aspirinate, so when I attempted to form the copper(ii) aspirinate, it created copper(ii) carbonate instead, because the sodium aspirinate solution had sodium carbonate left in it. If I were to do this again, I would use exact amounts and make sure I measured my reactants and my final yield so I can check the percent yield. Anyway, that's all! Thank you for reading and I hope to see you again!