Green Synthesis Of Aspirin Using Plant Extracts As Eco-Friendly Catalysts

Green chemistry promotes environmentally sustainable chemical processes by minimizing hazardous substances and waste generation. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), a widely used pharmaceutical drug, is traditionally synthesized using strong acids and non-renewable catalysts, which pose environmental and safety concerns. This study investigates the green synthesis of aspirin using plant extracts such as curry leaves (Murraya koenigii), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), and neem (Azadirachta indica) as natural catalysts. The phytochemicals present in these extracts, including flavonoids, phenols, and alkaloids, facilitate the acetylation reaction under mild conditions. The synthesized aspirin was characterized using UV–Visible spectroscopy, pH measurement, conductivity analysis, viscosity studies, and flame photometry. The results confirmed successful synthesis with satisfactory yield and purity, with clove extract showing the highest efficiency. The study demonstrates that plant-mediated synthesis is a cost-effective, safe, and environmentally benign alternative to conventional aspirin production methods.