Recrystallization and

Identification of an Unknown
Kaitlyn Greiner(October 9,2014)
Abstract

In this experiment, an impure compound was recrystallized

and its identity was determined by finding its melting point. The best
recrystallization solvent was determined to be water by observing
solubility in different conditions. The impure substance was
recrystallized with this determined solvent. The melting point of this
product was found by comparing the melting points of just the
unknown compound with the melting point of a 50/50 mixture of this
compound and the hypothesized compound, cinnamic acid. The
melting point with a ramp rate 5°C was 134.9°C and 134.1 °C with a
ramp rate of 2°C. The melting point range of the 50/50 mixture was
135.5°C. This melting point was further confirmed by comparing it to
other known melting points and the identity of the unknown was
determined to be cinnamic acid. The known melting range of cinnamic
acid was 132°C to 135°C. An impure compound, p-Dibromobenzene,
was recrystallized using ethanol-water solvent to demonstrate that a
mixed solvent can be used for recrystallization.