Question

Why is methyl alcohol the best for recrystallization of fluorene? Discuss in terms of polarity, why this solvent should be optimal.

Answer 1

Methanol is the  best for recrystallization of fluorene.

Explanation- Due to its hydroxyl group methanol is capable of hydrogen bonding but also it  has a nonpolar methyl group. The nonpolar hydrocarbon (methyl) region interacts with the nonpolar fluorene.

Toulene- In toulene fluorene is too soluble to perform a good crystallization so it is not the best.

Water- It contains only highly polar H—O bonds and the lone pairs on oxygen allow for extensive hydrogen bonding and a strong attraction between water and other polar molecules and ions .