When choosing a solvent for recrystallization, the impure compound should have poor solubility in
the solvent at low temperatures but be completely soluble at high temperatures. This allows the
solid to completely dissolve when heated, but crash out of solution when cooled. Ideally, you
should add the smallest amount of solvent possible that will still completely dissolve the sample
when heated. When adding solvent, it's best to err on the side of adding too little, as you can
always add more as you're heating it.
2. The
to crystallize in pure form from solution is difficult. For example, water is an excellent
solvent for the recrystallization of benzoic acid. At 10C only 2.1 g of benzoic acid
dissolves in 1 liter of water, while at 95 C the solubility is 68 g/L.
2. The unwanted impurities should be either very soluble in the solvent at room temperature
or insoluble in the hot solvent. This way, after the impure solid is dissolved in the hot
solvent, any undissolved impurities can be removed by filtration. After the solution cools
and the desired compound crystallizes out, any remaining soluble impurities will remain
dissolved in the solvent.
3. The solvent should not react with the compound being purified. The desired compound
may be lost during recrystallization if the solvent reacts with the compound.
4. The solvent should be volatile enough to be easily removed from the solvent after the
compound has crystallized. This allows for easy and rapid drying of the solid compound
after it has been isolated from the solution
3. Solubility of acetanilide in hot and cold water
1. The solubility of acetanilide in hot water (5.5g/ 100 mL @ 100
degrees) is not very great, and its solubility in cold water (0.53g/ 100 mL @
0 degrees) is significant