What is the Difference Between Percent Yield and Percent Recovery?

The difference between percent yield and percent recovery lies in their definitions and the context in which they are used:

• Percent Yield: This is a measure of the efficiency of a chemical reaction or synthesis. It is calculated as the ratio between the actual yield and the theoretical yield, multiplied by 100%. Percent yield is used to determine how well a chemical reaction performed compared to the theoretical maximum yield.
• Percent Recovery: This is a measure of the amount of a desired substance that is successfully recovered or obtained in a chemical or physical process, typically in a purification or extraction procedure. It is calculated as the ratio between the amount of purified compound and the initial amount of the compound, multiplied by 100%. Percent recovery is used to determine the amount of pure compound present in the final product after purification.

In summary, percent yield is used to evaluate the efficiency of a chemical reaction, while percent recovery is used to determine the amount of pure compound present in the final product after purification.

Comparative Table: Percent Yield vs Percent Recovery

Here is a table comparing the differences between percent yield and percent recovery:

Percent yield is a measure of the efficiency of a chemical reaction, and it tells how much of a compound is obtained from the reaction compared to the theoretical yield. On the other hand, percent recovery is often used in organic chemistry regarding recrystallization, and it represents the amount of pure compound obtained after purification.