Manipulatlons in an Inert Atmosphere We wish to report a simple and effective means of securing ground-glass joints and stopcocks in reaction vessels under positive pressures of nitrogen and argon that obviates the need for springs. We have found, in our manipulations of oxygen and moisture-sensitive compounds, that the Keck plastic taper clips marketed by Cole-Parmer (Catalog No. R-6840-X) are ideal not only for the mare obvious purpose of securing joints at male-female junctions but also for securing stopcocks used in reaction vessels such as Sehlenck tubes. The clips are also effective in securing stopcocks in double-manifold vacuum
lines, preventing leaks both in the inert gas manifold and in the vacuum manifold. For example, the clip suitable for a Blr joint (X= 05) is used for retention of 2-mm stopcoeks and that meant for a B19joint ( X = 10) for the retention of 4-mm stopcoeks. The larger clips are effective for securing the larger stopcocks in vacuum lines. We feel that these clips have much to offer to the research chemist performing manipulations in an inert atmosphere. B. Marlo Plnto R. Dev Sharma Simon Fraser University Burnaby. Britlsh Columbia, Canada V5A 156
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Journal of Chemical Education
