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CChemistryBiologyS6Aromatic chemistry
Benzene lab: stability, substitution and aspirin
Aspirin, dyes and many medicines are built on the benzene ring. Find out why this ring is so stable and how chemists make a medicine from it.
LevelS6 (and A Level)
TimeAbout 35 min
You useEnthalpy, moles, % yield
PriceFree: no account
🎯 Aim
To investigate the stability of benzene, its substitution reactions and the yield of an aromatic synthesis.
You will learn to
- Use enthalpy data to show benzene is stabilised.
- Describe electrophilic substitution reactions and their conditions.
- Explain why phenol reacts more readily than benzene.
- Calculate theoretical and percentage yields.
🧭 What to do
- Read the enthalpy graph and the stabilisation energy.
- Choose each Reaction and read its conditions and electrophile.
- Set the mass of salicylic acid and of aspirin obtained.
- Read the percentage yield.
- Answer the questions with the class data.
- Write your conclusion and download your lab report.
📋 The data
Enthalpies of hydrogenation.
🧠 Investigate: answer from the data
Type your answer and tap Check. Use 💡 Hint first; open the method only when you are stuck.
➕ Get more from this experiment
📝 Free
Print the worksheet (button above), download the data, and save your report. Teachers can project this page in class.
📦 Premium Lab Pack
1 000 RWF
- Worksheet: the synthesis of aspirin (method and yield record)
- Aromatic chemistry problems
- Teacher guide and answer key
- Exam-style questions with marking scheme
👩🏫 For teachers
Use it as a practical when apparatus is missing, as homework, or as a project. Free lesson plans help you plan, teach and assess.
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