Many organic laboratory textbooks present a confusing discussion of melting point range and purity by using only a standard two-component phase diagram to describe melting point behavior. Such diagrams are inadequate for students to understand observed melting point behavior because the diagram suggests that the melting point range for a nearly pure compound will be wider than for a less pure substance. This paper proposes use of a modified phase diagram as a better tool for students to understand the relationship of observed melting point behavior and a physically correct phase diagram.
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