Ethanol is a poor choice for recrystallization of phthalic acid due to its high solubility in the solvent at room temperature, which contradicts the requirements for effective recrystallization. A suitable recrystallization solvent must allow the compound to be insoluble or only partially soluble at room temperature while being highly soluble at or near the boiling point. Additionally, ethanol's reactivity with acids, forming esters, further complicates its use in this context. Water is identified as a better solvent for recrystallizing phthalic acid due to its properties.
PREREQUISITESChemistry students, organic chemists, and anyone involved in laboratory techniques related to recrystallization and solvent selection.
Say what?CMATT said:I also know water and ethanol are not miscible.
Sorry my chemistry book is confusing! I misreadBystander said:Say what?
alchemistf9 said:Water and ethanol are miscible!
Phthalic acid must be highly soluble in ethanol but not in water at room temp and therefore is a bad solvent for recrystallization. In order to have properly recrystallization the compound must be insoluble or only partially soluble in the solvent at room temperature but highly soluble in the solvent at or near its boiling point.
A solvent should also not react with the compounds ...CMATT said:Homework Statement
Why is ethanol a bad choice for recrystallization of phthalic acid?
2. The attempt at a solution
I know phthalic acid is very soluble in water, so water is a great candidate to recrystallize phthalic acid. I also know water and ethanol are not miscible. But I don't know how to properly answer this question. Please help.