Turning Aspirin into Tylenol

This is a video that I've been meaning to make for a while. I think the idea of converting one drug to another is a pretty cool concept.

About a year ago, I made a series where I chemically converted Aspirin to Tylenol (aka acetaminophen, paracetamol, or APAP). The original series was spread out over several videos and was over 90 minutes long. It has a lot more detail, but it was a much bigger commitment to watch.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(when signing up with this link, a portion of your membership directly supports the channel)

Join the community:

You can also find me here:

[marcusmerrin]

I'm an old-school chemist (PhD 1987). I love what you do, and it reminds me why I fell in love with chemistry as a teenager! Keep experimenting and teaching!

[TrueVartoc]

"I was able to convert 200 extra strength aspirins into one really weak tylenol"
SUCCESS

[bretsutherlandsterriblemem]

"Turning one really weak tylenol back into 200 extra strength Aspirin tablets"

[TheOriginalMaxGForce]

I followed along with your video precisely and I ended up with 42 pounds of crystal methamphetamine. Please advise.

[vickierayhill]

I have to admit, I use your videos to fall asleep at night. Your voice is so soothing, calm, clear, and never talk too fast. You could narrate a bus schedule, and I'd buy the audiobook. I listen intently and usually before you're done, I am out like a light. But you are not boring! Thats how I discovered your channel. I actually watch the video again the next day. Thanks for your excellent channel!

[glctv]

21:36 I thought "he's good... look, there's a Tylenol capsule in the product!" It was his stir bar.

[Xypos]

NileRed: The process is very straight forward

Me 26 minutes later: Wait what?

[Mx.Cumulonymphus]

"Ah crap I got aspirin, not tylenol"
"Don't worry mom, I can work with this"

[bernard]

Note: The "filler junk" is actually a carefully designed matrix that produces the correct dissolution profile and bio-availability of the tablet, whilst also ensuring proper binding, distribution of active in the matrix, good compression and ejection from the tablet press, etc., all without having a biologically active impact.

[Gaming_Legend]

Converting a fresh big mac into a bk wopper

[zoogoo]

I watched the original videos a while back.

This was far less scattershot and easier to digest.

[rosycat]

I have no clue what come out of his mouth 99% of the time, but his videos are really addicting to watch

[RobotHunter]

next time someone asks me for a tylenol imma whip out my bottles of aspirin and my chemistry set and make it from scratch just to spite them

[FreezeAU]

The “polymerized crap” label in the diagram at 7:44 made me laugh way more than it ought to have 🤣

[RealRuler]

Just wanted to say that I shared this with my mother, who used to be a research chemist 40+ years ago; we both really enjoyed it. =)

[mheermance]

Only being off by an order of magnitude isn't bad, if you are an astronomer.

[PersonaRandomNumbers]

23:12 "So my original prediction of 30% wasn't that far off, I just kind of misplaced the decimal by two spots" LOL

[Ehlihr]

just thought you should know, i sent this to my mom who’s a pharmacist, and classically has a video attention span of 2-5 minutes max. that being said she watched the WHOLE thing and loved it!! really great stuff lovin it

[ClassickXD]

My sister's going to school for chemistry. I always whip out somthing I've learned from these vidoes. Her face is priceless

[rockabrand]

I love these longer videos. They're so satisfying and fun to watch.