Question

Explain whether or not each of the following pairs of solvents might be useful as a solvent pair for recrystallization.
(a) ethanol-methanol (b) hexane-cyclohexane (c) acetone-ethanol
(d) water-ethanol (e) water-cyclohexane

Answer 1

You need to solvents one of which is excellent, the other poorer. So it depends on the solute, but I doubt e solvents both dissolve the same solute. The others will depend on the solute.

Answer 2

and, of course, as DrBob just pointed out to me, e solvents are NOT miscible, which they must be.

Answer 3

thanks. i understand why e won't work, but im a little confused on choice a. they both dissolve a wide range of solutes so would it be a great solvent?

Answer 4

well im confused because you said one needs to be great and the other has to be poor. so if you combine both do you get a great solvent or a horrible one?