Question: what is the chemical equation for the synthesis of aspirin?
Answer: In this reaction, an excess of acetic anhydride (C4H6O3) is added to a measured mass of salicylic acid (C7H6O3) in the presence of a catalyst, sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The mixture is heated to form the acetylsalicylic acid (C9H8O4) and acetic acid (C2H4O2).