Benzyl alcohol (bp 205 C) was chosen by a student to crystallizefluorenol (mp 153-154 C) for the reason that the solubility characteristics of this solvent are appropriate. However this solvent is not a good choice. Explain.
A student performs crystallization on an impure sample of biphenyl. The sample weights .5 g and contains about 5% impurity. Based on his knowledge of solubility, the student decides to utilize benzene as the solvent. Subsequent to crystallization the crystals are dried and the final weight is found to be .02 g. Presume that all steps in the crystallization are performed correctly, there are no spills, and the student lost very little solid on any glassware or in any of the transfers. Explain why is the recovery so low?