Question

During a hot filtration, why is it important to warm the glassware (Erlenmeyer flask and glass funnel) and add a little excess solvent?

a) To prevent crystallization
b) To minimize loss of product
c) To speed up filtration
d) To increase solubility

Answer 1

During hot filtration, warming the glassware and adding excess solvent helps prevent premature crystallization and loss of product, ensuring that the compound remains in solution until after the filtration is complete.

Step-by-step explanation:

During a hot filtration, it is essential to warm the glassware, which includes the Erlenmeyer flask and glass funnel, and to add a little excess solvent for a few reasons. Warming the glassware is significant because it prevents the premature crystallization of the compound being filtered, which can occur if there is a substantial difference between the temperature of the solution and the glassware. Adding excess solvent ensures that the compound remains in solution, preventing loss of product through untimely crystallization within the glassware during the filtration process.

This technique is used in the purification of compounds as it allows crystallization to occur when intended, that is, after the solution has been filtered and the temperature is lowered. To maximize recovery and purity, the glassware's warmth and added solvent work together to maintain the solute in a dissolved state as it undergoes the filtration procedure.