Why do I have to use a 1:1 ethanol:water solution to hydrolyse aspirin?

Question

I understand that water itself would not work as aspirin is not very soluble in water but Why not just use 100% ethanol?

Because you can't hydrolyze something without water. – SendersReagent Apr 16 '16 at 21:54 — SendersReagent, Apr 16 '16 at 21:54

score 1 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 16 '16 at 19:50

1

Hydrolysis means to break something apart (e.g. chemical bonds) with water.

If there's no water, there's no hydrolysis.

answered Apr 16 '16 at 19:50

orthocresol

2

Also the ethanol is needed to solubilise the aspirin which is not very soluble in water. – Technetium Apr 17 '16 at 02:14

1 Answers1