I did an experiment for extraction of acetylsalicylic acid from an aspirin tablet(632mg mass). The solvent used was dichloromethane. I got about 342mg from the 500mg that could be extracted. the melting point found for this sample was 118-120°C as compared to a pure sample's 134-136 °C.

Question

I did an experiment for extraction of acetylsalicylic acid from an aspirin tablet(632mg mass). The solvent used was dichloromethane. I got about 342mg from the 500mg that could be extracted. the melting point found for this sample was 118-120°C as compared to a pure sample's 134-136 °C.
since this m.p. is low, does this show that my sample is impure with dichoromethane? or with something else?

DrBob222 · Answer

I think it shows contamination with something. What the contamination is remains to be determined. If you want a purer sample, I would recrystallize the product.