Copper aspirinate Copper aspirinate Copper(II) aspirinate is an aspirin chelate of copper(II) cations (Cu). It is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Copper aspirinate can be prepared by several methods. In one route of preparation, an excess of acetylsalicylic acid is dissolved in aqueous sodium carbonate. Sodium hydroxide is not suitable for this purpose, because it will hydrolyse acetylsalicylic acid ("ASA") into salicylic acid and sodium acetate. The resulting solution is then filtered to remove any undissolved acetylsalicylic acid and is mixed with a solution containing Cu cations (copper(II) sulfate is suitable), precipitating bright blue crystals of copper aspirinate immediately. The crystals can
Mineral acid Mineral acid A mineral acid (or inorganic acid) is an acid derived from one or more inorganic compounds. All mineral acids form hydrogen ions and the conjugate base when dissolved in water. Commonly used mineral acids are sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid and nitric acid (they are also known as bench acids). Mineral acids range from superacids (perchloric acid) to very weak (boric acid). Mineral acids tend to be very soluble in water and insoluble in organic solvents. Mineral acids are used in many sectors of the chemical industry as feedstocks for the synthesis of other chemicals, both organic and inorganic.