Green Chemistry: Three Step Synthesis of Acetaminophen

Green Chemistry: Three Step Synthesis of Acetaminophen

Korto Kpanaku

Alley Poquette

Amanda Padilla

Acetaminophen was synthesized from phenol in three steps. In this synthetic route one of the steps was altered to be more green though a better atom economy and the use of a less hazardous solvent. The first step was an electrophilic aromatic substitution on phenol with nitric acid to create nitro-phenol. Next, nitro-phenol was used to synthesize p-aminophenol through hydrogenation using an iron catalyst. This step was also attempted using a more eco-friendly solvent in order to make it more green. Lastly, acetaminophen was synthesized by the acylation of the aminophenol. This new method including the green step minimalized chemical waste.