Novel Phenomena of Crystallization and Emulsification of Hydrophobic Solute in Aqueous Solution.

Emulsification of lauric acid in an aqueous ethanol solution including lauric acid solute has been observed during cooling before crystallization of lauric acid occurs. The nature of two different solubility curves was explained for the system of lauric acid and aqueous ethanol solution. The mutual solubility of the two liquid phases controls emulsification; the solid solubility of lauric acid controls crystallization.