Assuming you have a mixture of 2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol, which solvent would be most suitable for recrystallization if you want to isolate 4-nitrophenol?
Water
Diethyl ether
Toluene
Acetone
Ethanol
To determine the most suitable solvent for recrystallization to isolate 4-nitrophenol, we need to consider the solubility of 2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol in each of the given solvents.
The solubility of a compound in a particular solvent depends on a variety of factors, including the strength of intermolecular forces, polarity, and temperature. A good solvent for recrystallization should have two key properties:
1. The compound to be isolated (4-nitrophenol) should have a low solubility in the chosen solvent at low temperatures. This ensures that the compound will crystallize out of the solution during the recrystallization process.
2. The impurities (2-nitrophenol) should have a significantly higher solubility in the chosen solvent, allowing them to remain dissolved when the desired compound is crystallizing out.
Based on these criteria, we need to compare the solubility of 2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol in each of the given solvents. The compound with the lower solubility will be the one that can be selectively crystallized out.
Here are the solubility properties of 2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol in the given solvents:
- Water: Both 2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol are moderately soluble in water, so water may not be the best choice for selective recrystallization.
- Diethyl ether: Both compounds are moderately soluble in diethyl ether, so it may not be a suitable solvent for selective recrystallization.
- Toluene: 4-nitrophenol is relatively insoluble in toluene, while 2-nitrophenol is moderately soluble. Toluene can potentially be a good choice for selective recrystallization of 4-nitrophenol.
- Acetone: Both compounds are moderately soluble in acetone, so it may not be the best solvent for selective recrystallization.
- Ethanol: Both 2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol are moderately soluble in ethanol, so it may not be a suitable solvent for selective recrystallization.
Based on the provided solubility information, Toluene seems to be the most suitable solvent for recrystallization if you want to isolate 4-nitrophenol. However, it is always recommended to consult additional references or perform small-scale experiments to confirm the suitability of the chosen solvent.