As far as crystallization is concerned, just remember that time means everything. The largest crystals you will ever see are grown for days, weeks, or even months. Long needles of the compound in question can be obtained from isopropanol/isopropyl acetate, isopropanol/ethyl ether, isopropanol/ethyl acetate, or isopropanol/hexane mixtues. The mixtures are listed above in order of desirability of use. Start with about 2-5ml/g hot iPrOH, then add 1-5ml/g other solvent. Cool slowly on a hot plate, once at room temp, put in the fridge, then in the freezer eventually.
Alternativly, HUGE cubic crystals can be grown from the slow evaporation of acetonitrile. Generally, it is better to keep the vessel loosly covered in a drafty area (fume hood, etc.). Beautiful cubic crytals can also be grown over a period of weeks from a dilute solution in 1:1 acetonitrile/ethyl ether in the freezer.
