Synthesis of acetaminophen   Category: Acetaminophen  Questions
and Answers  What is the function of water in the synthesis of
acetaminophen?  it acts as a solvent  What is the stoichiometric
reaction for the synthesis of phenacetin from acetaminophen (see
image)?   This is a Williamson Ether Synthesis.  See this image
for the reaction.   This is just a simple 2 reactants ---> 1
product reaction. Since you did not specify the quantities, 1
mole of acetominophen should give 1 mole of phenacetin. Usually
this reaction is done with an excess of ethyl iodide to make it
run a bit faster. Diethyl sulfate works somewhat better but that
is extremely toxic.  What is the purpose of water in the
synthesis of acetaminophen?  I am trying to figure out exactly
what the purpose of the water is in a chem experiment we
performed at school. In the reaction water was added to
p-aminophenol and acetic anhydride. What purpose did that serve?
ie... what exactly does the water do in the reaction.  water
hydrolyzes acetic anhydride