Final answer:
Recrystallizing an anhydride from water or an alcohol is rarely a good idea because the hydrates of anhydrides are unstable and exist in small proportions. Anhydrides can react with water to produce carboxylic acids and with alcohols to produce esters and carboxylic acids.
Step-by-step explanation:
Recrystallizing an anhydride (such as the product of this reaction) from water or an alcohol is rarely a good idea because the hydrates of anhydrides are usually unstable and exist in small proportions compared to the initial anhydride. For example, the hydrate of acetone is highly unstable and rapidly loses water.
Additionally, anhydrides can react with water to produce carboxylic acids and with alcohols to produce esters and carboxylic acids. These reactions can disrupt the desired synthesis or result in the formation of unwanted products.