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In a purification step, the crude product is dissolved in potassium hydroxide so

ID: 488710 • Letter: I

Question

In a purification step, the crude product is dissolved in potassium hydroxide solution and then precipitated with acid to separate it from other impurities. Why would the product be soluble in water with KOH but not soluble in water with sulfuric acid? In a purification step, the crude product is dissolved in potassium hydroxide solution and then precipitated with acid to separate it from other impurities. Why would the product be soluble in water with KOH but not soluble in water with sulfuric acid?

Explanation / Answer

Generally we use above method for purification of carboxylic acids.

The carboxylic acids will form potassium carboxylate salts when dissolved in KOH.

The carboxylate salts are soluble in acids, whereas other organic impurities will be insoluble, if we filter, we will get carboxylate salt in water without impurities, which will settle in filter paper.

Add H2SO4 to reprecipate the carboxylic acid.

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