Qualities of the Solvent Used for Crystallization

Solubility depends on the polarities of the solute and the solvent. According to the principle like dissolves like, if the solute is polar, the solvent required should be polar too. On the other hand, if the solute is nonpolar, a nonpolar solvent should be used. 

Some of the solvents commonly used for crystallization include acetone, chloroform, methanol, benzene, diethyl ether, carbon tetrachloride, and water. 

Distillation is a technique that can be employed if the compounds to be separated have reasonably different boiling points. Distillation involves boiling of the mixture to vaporize it. This is followed by condensation to get the distillate. The distillates are eventually collected in the order of their condensation. There are different types of distillations. 

Simple distillation is used to separate compounds, which have boiling points that sufficiently differ (difference of about 50 C). 

Vacuum distillation is used for the separation of compounds that have very high boiling points. 

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