Final answer:
When selecting a recrystallization solvent, it's crucial that the solvent demonstrates increased solubility of the compound of interest with temperature and maintains impurities in solution upon cooling, allowing for effective separation through crystallization.
Step-by-step explanation:
When choosing a suitable recrystallization solvent, there are specific considerations to keep in mind. The compound of interest must have a solubility that increases with temperature, allowing it to crystallize upon cooling. Additionally, impurities should be more soluble than the desired compound and should remain in solution after crystallization occurs. For example, if separating sodium acetate (CH3CO2Na) from KBr, we would dissolve the mixture in water at a high temperature where both are soluble, and then cool it so only the sodium acetate crystallizes out, leaving KBr in solution. The efficacy of this process relies on the proper selection of a solvent with the right solvent power and the correct understanding of the effect of temperature on solubility.