Recrystallisation is a very important technique in synthetic chemistry. A critical step is in selecting a solvent system where the impurities are very soluble but the product is only partly soluble. The mixture for purification is heated to dissolve all of the product in a super saturated solution. On cooling the product starts to crystallise out of solution as it's solubility is poor at room temperature. If you have chosen your solvent correctly your impurity will stay in solution. Watch this short video and answer the following questions about recrystallisation. Note: this is an example recrystallisation and not actually an aspirin recrystallisation. Why do we allow our recrystallisation to cool slowly? Please select the most accurate answer.

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

When considering why recrystallisation is performed with slow cooling, it's important to evaluate what factors influence crystal formation and impurity entrapment.
Option a: 'To allow crystals to form quickly so there is less chance impurities get trapped.' This is misleading. Rapid crystallisation tends to trap more impurities inside the forming solid because the crystal lattice has less time to exclude defects and impurities, not less. So this choice describes the opposite of the intended effect.
Option b: 'To allow crystals to form slowly so there is less chance impurities get trapped.' This aligns with the fundamental principle of recrystallisation. Slow cooling gives the molecules more time to organize into a pure, well-ordered crystal lattice, allowing impurities to remain in solution rather than being incorporated into the solid.
Option c: 'To allow the largest mass of crystals to form.' While slower cooling can influence crystal size, the primary aim in recrystallisation is purity, not maximizing total crystal mass. This statement focuses on quantity rather than quality, making it incorrect as the most accurate rationale.
Option d: 'To allow large crystals to form.' Similar to option c, encouraging large crystals is a secondary or incidental outcome of slow cooling, not the main reason. Purity and impurity rejection are the central goals, so this option is not the most accurate description of the purpose.
In summary, the most accurate reason is that slow crystallisation provides time for proper lattice formation and impurity exclusion, reducing the likelihood of impurity entrapment during solid formation.

MCD4400 - T3 - 2025 Prelab Quiz - Esterification - Benzocaine

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