In recrystallization, one tries to prepare a solution that is supersaturated with respect to the solute (the material you want to crystallize). There are several ways to do this.

One is to heat the solvent, dissolve as much solute as you can (said to be a "saturated" solution at that temperature), and then let it cool. At this point, all the solute remains in solution, which now contains more solute at that temperature than it normally would (and is said to be "supersaturated").

This situation is somewhat unstable. If you now suspend a solid material in the solution, the "extra" solute will tend to come out of solution and grow around the solid. Particles of dust can cause this to occur. However this growth will be uncontrolled and should be avoided (thus the recrystallization beaker should be covered). To get controlled growth, a "seed crystal", prepared from the solute should be suspended into the solution.

The supersaturation method works when the solute is more soluble in hot solvent than cold. This is usually the case, but there are exceptions. For example, the solubility of table salt (sodium chloride) is about the same whether the water is hot or cold.

The rate at which crystallization occurs will affect crystal quality. The more supersaturated a solution is, the faster growth may be. Usually, the best crystals are the ones that grow SLOWLY.

Thus, if you heated the solvent to near the boiling point to get a highly supersaturated solution on cooling back to room temperature, crystals may start to form before the solution had completely cooled.

This is where the "art" of science comes into play. One has to experiment a bit to get the right conditions.

A second way to get supersaturation is to start with a saturated solution and let the solvent evaporate. This will be a slower process.

The above will apply to most situations. It is necessary to match the proper solvent with a given solute.

To see the steps to be followed in recrystallization, CLICK HERE.

WARNING: the solubility of some salts is quite sensitive to temperature, so the temperature of recrystallization should be controlled as best you can. There have been reports in the past of students having a nice big crystal growing in a beaker on a Friday, the room temperature rising in a school over the weekend, and by Monday morning the crystal had totally gone back into solution!

Good luck. :-)

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