Question

Why use cold water to wash benzoic acid crystals? Can I use ethyl alcohol? Why

Answer 1

Cold water is used to wash benzoic acid crystals because it is a polar solvent that can effectively remove impurities, such as soluble impurities or other organic solvents, without dissolving the benzoic acid itself. Ethyl alcohol, on the other hand, is a nonpolar solvent and may not be as effective in washing away impurities from the benzoic acid crystals. Additionally, ethyl alcohol has a higher solubility for benzoic acid compared to water, so it may dissolve some of the benzoic acid crystals during the washing process. Therefore, it is generally recommended to use cold water for washing benzoic acid crystals.