These natural products have been obtained from plants, minerals, and animals. In addition, various transformations of these and other compounds have led to even more medically useful compounds. During this semester, you will have an opportunity to isolate some pharmacologically active natural products and to synthesize other active compounds from suitable starting materials.
Analgesics are compounds used to reduce pain, antipyretics are compounds used to reduce fever.
One popular drug that does both is aspirin. Allow the flask to cool to room temperature. If acetylsalicylic acid does not begin to crystallize out, scratch the walls of the flask with a glass rod. Cool the mixture slightly in an ice bath until crystallization is completed. Add 50 mL of water and cool the mixture in an ice bath.