A Versatile Separating Flask The "new transfer flask" described in a recent note' is similar t o one described previously2 and used for a number of years in this department. By including a Teflona tap on the side arm and a standard ground glass joint in the neck, the following additional benefits result: 1) The side arm can he shorter rendering the flask leas vulnerable to accidental damage. 2) The maximum solution volume is limited only by the size of the flask and not hy the position and dimension of the side arm. H 3) The transfer .nroress e~ of the~tan^ ~ is nrecidv ~ ~ controlled ..-~ ~.-....~-hv .,the ..~ .. w ..........-r. r - ~ ~ ~ 4) Solvent extractions can be performed with magnetic stirring and the maximum interface between phases occurs with small volumes in contrast to the normal separating funnel. The magnetic followers can detach trapped globules from the walls of the side arm giving cleaner separations \ / and fewer problems with emulsification. 5 ) Air-sensitive reactions can he performed under inert gases. Thus, reductions involving the use of sodium amalgam have been carried out by bubbling nitrogen through the side arm during the reaction and removing the spent amalgam by the same route on completion of the reaetion3. The disadvantage of the extra cost of the tap and ground glass joint is more than compensated for by the additional advantages.
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M. Carlwrlght University of Bath Balh BA2 DAY. England
'Gaus, P. L., and Pedenen L. A., J. CHEM.EDUC.,58,353 (1981).
Cartmight, M., and Woolf, A. A,, J. Chem. Soe. Dalton., 829 (1976). Brisdon,B. J., Edwards, D. A,, and White, J. W., J Orgonometallic Chem., 175,113 (1979).
Volume
59
Number
7
July 1982
587
