What is the purpose of recrystallization in organic chemistry?

The purpose of recrystallization in organic chemistry is to purify solid compounds by dissolving them in a suitable solvent and then allowing them to crystallize. This technique relies on the principle that most solid compounds are more soluble at higher temperatures. During recrystallization, an impure solid is typically dissolved in a hot solvent to create a saturated solution. As the solution cools, the solubility of the compound decreases, prompting it to crystallize out of the solution. The pure crystals can then be collected, while impurities remain dissolved in the solvent or are filtered out.

This method is highly effective for isolating pure compounds from mixtures, as the crystallization process preferentially forms pure crystals of the desired substance. This increases the purity of the final product, which is essential for subsequent analyses or reactions in organic synthesis.