Give a brief description of the principle of fractional crystallization.

Fractional crystallization is based on the differences in solubilities of two or more compounds in the same solvent at the same temperature. That is, the substance which is least soluble crystallizes out first and the most soluble substance crystallizes out last. 

e.g. Mixture of two solutes A and B can be purified by fractional crystallization as follows :

• Preparation of a saturated solution : Mixture of two solutes A and B are dissolved in a suitable hot solvent to prepare a saturated solution.
• Hot filtration : The hot saturated solution is filtered to remove insoluble impurities.
• Cooling of the filtrate : Hot filtrate is allowed to cool. On cooling, the solute which is least soluble crystallizes out first leaving behind the most soluble substance in the mother liquor.
• Filtration : The crystals formed are filtered, washed with solvent and dried. Crystals obtained will be of a solute which is least soluble in a given solvent.
• Concentration of a mother liquor : The mother liquor is concentrated by evaporating the solvent. These crystals are filtered and dried to obtain the second purified component (which was more soluble in given solvent).