What is the main purpose of recrystallization in organic chemistry?

Recrystallization is a commonly used technique in organic chemistry aimed specifically at purifying solid compounds. The process involves dissolving a solid compound in a suitable solvent at high temperature, where it forms a saturated solution. As the solution cools, the solubility of the compound decreases, leading to the formation of crystals. This crystallization allows for the separation of the pure compound from impurities that remain dissolved in the solvent.

The ability to selectively crystallize a pure compound relies on differences in solubility and the physical properties of the components in the mixture. The main goal here is to obtain a high purity solid, making this method particularly effective for compounds that have differing solubility characteristics.

While other choices mention aspects of chemistry that are important, they do not correctly describe the primary purpose of recrystallization. For instance, separating mixtures based on solubility is related but not the main emphasis—purification through crystallization is the essential process involved in recrystallization.