Here's the breakdown:
* p-aminophenol has an amino group (-NH2) and a hydroxyl group (-OH) on the benzene ring.
* Acetic anhydride (CH3CO)2O is a reactive compound that introduces acetyl groups (CH3CO-)
* NaOH is a base used to deprotonate the amine group, making it more nucleophilic.
The Reaction:
1. NaOH deprotonates the amino group of p-aminophenol, forming the more reactive aminophenolate ion.
2. The aminophenolate ion reacts with acetic anhydride, replacing one of the acetyl groups with the p-aminophenol molecule.
3. The product is N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, also known as paracetamol or acetaminophen.
Chemical Equation:
```
p-aminophenol + (CH3CO)2O + NaOH → N-acetyl-p-aminophenol + CH3COONa + H2O
```
Note: The reaction is carried out in a solvent, typically water or a mixture of water and ethanol.