The Delivery Adapter in the Organic Laboratory We find a delivery adapter to he a useful addition t o the standard taper laboratory kits in introductory organic chemistry courses. With this adapter, students can distil a t atmospheric L~ pressure directly into sample bottles or Erlenmeye~flasks A bored m k m@e used to seal the adapter-receptacle interface in the limited instances where factors such as flammability or volatility dictate. s ,9!zz m,m When distillate is collected directly in clean, tared sample bottles, product transfer is elimi- ,,,,,., nated, yield is improved, and damage to standard taper receiving vessels (usually round bottom flasks) is reduced. The number of m n d bottom flasks in the lahorntory kit may be reduced. Aka, students may be eccouraged t o collect more fractions, since the relatively low cost of sample bottles will make them easier to provide in the requisite numbers. Use of a delivery adapter is not just a "compromise" distillation technique for teaching. In organic synthesis, in general, there is the tendency always t o use round bottom flasks as receiving vessels and then as storage containers. The delivery adapter can be used to help alleviate this problem. Another application of the delivery adapter is in column chromatography, for columns without a standard taper joint a t the top and without a built-in solvent reservoir. Such columns cannot he easily attached to separatory funnels with standard taper exits. These funnels are common in many student kits. Hence trouhles are encountered when solvent reservoirs or moderate hydrostatic pressures are needed for column development. The delivery adapter may he inserted into the rubber sleeve provided with a Kontes outlet adapter.' The sleeve then fits over the top of the chromatography column, making an airtight seal. A separatory funnel may then be inserted atop the delivery adapter and used successfully as a solvent reservoir. We have not noted the commercial listing of delivery adapters in the 19122 or 14/20 modifications. Adapters in our laboratories have been fabricated in the glass shop from 19/22 joints recovered from broken student apparatus. However, commercial availability should be no problem upon request.
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Product of the Kontes Glass Company, Vineland, N.J.
California S t a t e College S a n Bernardino, 92407
J o h n H. Craig
Volume 53. Number I , January 1976 / 39
