How does a non polar solute become soluble and insoluble in a non-polar solvent?
1 Answer
By exploiting a temperature gradient...?
Explanation:
Typically, when we recrystallize a solute, we want to take it up in a MINIMUM of solvent (and I don't specify the solvent...) And typically we apply a heat source, i.e. a heat gun, or a heating mantle, to bring the solute up into solution. And when the stuff is up in solution, we ideally slowly cool the hot solution, and hopefully upon cooling the solute will crystallize out....the slower the cooling process, generally the large the crystals obtained. And I have seen some people taking a lagged solution (so that it COOLS slowly) and putting this in the refrigerator/freezer to cool slowly...
In other circumstances, we COULD layer a concentrated solution of the solute, and LAYER this with a solvent in which the solute is INSOLUBLE. On standing, as the layers SLOWLY mix, crystals might appear on the interface..
