Benzyl alcohol (b.p. 205 °C) was selected by a student to crystallize fluorenol (m.p. 153-154 °C),

because the solubility characteristics of this solvent are appropriate. H

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To understand why benzyl alcohol was selected as the solvent to crystallize fluorenol, we must consider the solubility characteristics of both substances.

Solubility is a measure of how much of a solute can dissolve in a given solvent at a specific temperature. In the case of crystallization, the objective is to choose a solvent in which the desired compound (in this case, fluorenol) is highly soluble at high temperatures and minimally soluble at lower temperatures.

In this scenario, benzyl alcohol and fluorenol are chosen. Let's look at their properties:

1. Benzyl alcohol:
- Boiling point (b.p.): 205 °C
- Boiling point refers to the temperature at which a substance changes from a liquid to a gas phase.
- This high boiling point indicates that benzyl alcohol is relatively stable at high temperatures.

2. Fluorenol:
- Melting point (m.p.): 153-154 °C
- Melting point refers to the temperature at which a solid substance changes from a solid to a liquid phase.
- The melting point of fluorenol indicates that it is a solid at room temperature.

Since fluorenol is a solid and benzyl alcohol is a liquid at room temperature, benzyl alcohol can act both as a solvent to dissolve fluorenol at high temperatures and as a suitable medium for cooling the solution to induce crystallization.

When the benzyl alcohol solution is heated, fluorenol can dissolve in a larger quantity due to the high solubility of fluorenol at elevated temperatures. However, as the solution cools down, the solubility of fluorenol decreases. This decrease in solubility causes the compound to precipitate out of the solution, resulting in the formation of pure fluorenol crystals.

In summary, benzyl alcohol was chosen as the solvent because its solubility characteristics are appropriate for the crystallization process. It dissolves fluorenol effectively at elevated temperatures and allows for the subsequent cooling and crystallization of the compound.