Paracetamol is a commonly used painkiller - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 3 - 2008 - Paper 1
Question 3
Paracetamol is a commonly used painkiller. The equation below shows one method of preparing paracetamol.
4-amino-phenol + [Possible Reagent] → paracetamol
a. In th... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Paracetamol is a commonly used painkiller - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 3 - 2008 - Paper 1
Step 1
a. Give the formula of a possible reagent that can be used in this synthesis.
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Answer
A possible reagent that can be used in the synthesis of paracetamol from 4-aminophenol is acetic anhydride (C4H6O3). It acts as an acetylating agent to form paracetamol.
Step 2
b. i. On the diagram of a TLC plate below, use a horizontal line to mark the spot where paracetamol would appear in such an analysis.
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Answer
On the TLC plate, mark a horizontal line at the Rf value of 0.4, which is the height that corresponds to paracetamol’s position in the solvent front.
Step 3
b. ii. Predict whether the Rf value of 4-aminophenol in this analysis is greater or smaller than that of paracetamol, giving a reason for your choice.
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Answer
The Rf value of 4-aminophenol is likely greater than that of paracetamol. This is because 4-aminophenol adsorbs less strongly to the stationary phase than paracetamol, allowing it to travel further up the TLC plate in the solvent.