Question

Water is a good choice of solvent because it is benign, cheap and readily available. Identify two characteristics that make water a good choice for the recrystallization solvent for benzoic acid? (What are the characteristics of a good recrystallization solvent?)

Answer 1

Answer:

Two characteristics that make water a good choice for the recrystallization solvent for benzoic acid are

1. Low solubility for benzoic acid at room temperature
2. Less expensive

Explanation:

Characteristics of a Good Recrystallization Solvent:

1. Cheap.
2. High volatility.
3. No reaction with substrate to be made pure.
4. Insoluble impurities should not be dissolced by the olvent at all temperatures.
5. At room temperature the solvent should have high solubility for soluble impurities well
6. At  room temperature the substance to be purified should be insoluble in the solvent.

As such water has both low solubility for benzoic acid at room temperature and water is cheap or readily available