How do you describe the process of recrystallisation to purify a product?

When describing the process of recrystallisation, it is important that every step is mentioned. Firstly, the impure product must be dissolved in a minimum amount of hot solvent. The hot solution should then be filtered to remove any insoluble impurities. The remaining solution should then be allowed to cool and crystallise before filtering away any soluble impurities that remained in the solution. The crystals should then be washed in a small amount of cold solvent and left to dry. It is important that specific terminology is used when describing this process, such as mentioning that a minimum amount of hot solvent is used, as this keeps the yield of pure product as high as possible. It is also important to mention which type of impurities are removed at each stage.

CR
Answered by Chris R. Chemistry tutor

13396 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Give the IUPAC name for the following molecule and draw its displayed formula: CH3(CH2)3COOH


Alcohols can be converted into alkenes in an elimination reaction. The elimination of H2O from pentan-2-ol forms a mixture of organic products. Give the names and structures of all the organic products in the mixture.


Thermodynamics with a focus on entropy


Why does phenol readily undergo electrophilic substitution but benzene does not without the aid of a catalyst?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning