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EXPERIMENT 2: Recrystallization and Melting Point
EXPERIMENT 2: Recrystallization and Melting Point
Recrystallization (or Crystallization) is a technique used to purify solids. This procedure relies on the
fact that solubility increases as temperature increases (you can dissolve more sugar in hot water than in cold
water). As a hot, saturated solution cools, it becomes supersaturated and the solute precipitates (crystallizes)
out. In a recrystallization procedure, an impure (crude) solid is dissolved in a hot solvent. As this solution
is cooled, the pure product crystallizes out and the impurities stay dissolved.
turn unit on: various switches for light, heat and stirring
adjust the voltage control to begin SLOWLY heating your sample (higher number = faster heating)
turn all switches off when done; discard mp tube in glass waste container
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Your complete report for this experiment should include the data page, answers to the following
questions, and a conclusion (1 page maximum. Discuss your results yield and mp. Consider: Did
the recrystallization work? How can you tell? How could you have improved your yield?). These
pages must be stapled.
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Data Sheet
Name:
Day/Time of Lab:
Instructor:
physical appearance
impure
pure
literature value
(cite source)
Amount of benzoic acid used initially
___________________________ g
___________________________ g
___________________________ g
___________________________ g
Your complete report for this experiment should include the data page, answers to the following
questions, and a conclusion (1 page maximum. Discuss your results yield and mp. Consider: Did
the recrystallization work? How can you tell? How could you have improved your yield?). These
pages must be stapled.
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Questions
Attach answers to these questions on a separate sheet along with Experiment 2 Report.
1.
What are the important solubility characteristics for a solvent for crystallization of an organic solid
which is contaminated with a small amount of impurity? Remember you want to separate the desired
solid from the contaminating impurities.
2.
There are many opportunities during a recrystallization to lose crystals. How could you improve your
percent recovery? Explain.
3.
4.
Solubility
(g/100 mL)
Temperature
A
B
20
1.5 g
0.5 g
110
10.0 g
8.0 g
Why do you need to heat the sample SLOWLY to record its melting point? Give at least two reasons.
6.
How can a samples melting point indicate the presence of an organic impurity?
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