When recrystallizing an unknown white solid, which solvent should you heat initially to dissolve the solid?

In the process of recrystallization, the choice of solvent is crucial for successfully purifying an unknown solid. The correct solvent should have a high solubility for the compound when hot and low solubility when cold. N-Butanol, when heated, has a good ability to dissolve a wide range of organic compounds and may work effectively for many unknown solids.

Additionally, n-butanol has a moderate boiling point and can dissolve a variety of organic substances, making it a versatile choice in recrystallization. By first heating n-butanol to dissolve the solid, you create a concentrated solution that can later be cooled to allow for recrystallization.

Other solvents could have limitations in their ability to dissolve the solid adequately when heated or might not provide the right conditions for crystallization when cooled. The effectiveness of n-butanol in this context highlights its appropriateness for recrystallization in organic laboratory practices.