Lewis Structure of Acetaminophen

2012-01-09T17:56:00.000-08:00

The picture above is the lewis structure of Acetaminophen. It depicts the whole molecule very clearly, especially the benzene ring, which is made up of 6 carbons, two sets of which are double bonded, and 4 hydrogens attached to the carbons on the outside of the benzene ring.

Nature of the bonds

Hydrogen to Oxygen is a moderately polar covalent bond. (The difference in electronegativity is 1.24)

Hydrogen to Carbon is a strongly polar covalent bond. (The difference in electronegativity is 0.35)

Hydrogen to Nitrogen is a moderately polar covalent bond. (The difference in electronegativity is 0.84)

Oxygen to Carbon is a moderately polar covalent bond. (The difference in electronegativity is 0.89)

Carbon to Nitrogen is a strongly polar covalent bond. (The difference in electronegativity is 0.49)

Carbon to Carbon is a purely covalent bond. (The difference in electronegativity is 0.00)

VSEPR

Acetaminophen is a linear molecule. This means that all of its bonds have a 180 degree angle.

Polarity

Acetaminophen is a polar molecule. It is polar because certain spots on the molecule are more electronegative that others. You can clearly see this through the arrows that are drawn from the less electronegative element to the more electronegative element.

Acetaminophen

2012-01-08T20:16:00.000-08:00

Acetaminophen

Eric Zuberi

Acetaminophen (C₈H₉NO₂), commonly referred to as Tylenol, is a medicine that is used to treat mild to moderate pains. It is often used for headaches, toothaches, stomach aches, colds, sore throats, reactions to vaccinations, as well as Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is also used to reduce fevers. Because of this, it is classified as an analgesic (pain relieving) and an antipyretic (fever reducing) medicine. Acetaminophen, is the active ingredient in Tylenol. Because it is man-made, it can only be found in a laboratory. It is made in a basic reaction between p-aminophenol and acetic anhydride. The reaction looks like this: C₆H₄(OH)(NH₂) + (CH₃CO)₂O à C₈H₉NO₂. Acetaminophen works by blocking the body’s production of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are naturally occurring chemicals that cause inflammation and fever. Acetaminophen blocks the development/production of prostaglandins in the central nervous system. Because of this, Acetaminophen reduces our fevers and the inflammation that our body incurs on itself.