Why is the addition of methanol during the prepartion of the liquid crystal cholesteryl benzoate necesary
Pyridinium hydrochloride and methyl benzoate are both soluble in methanol and thus will be washed through the filter leaving behind clean cholesteryl benzoate. If you don't use the methanol the solid you produce will be impure and sticky; the methyl benzoate and pyridinium hydrochloride will not pass through the filter but will bind to the product crystals.. Methanol also removes any excess of benzoyl chloride by reacting with it.