What is the purpose of a rotovap evaporator?
The purpose of the rotovap is to remove low boiling organic chemicals, usually solvents, from a mixture of compounds. The rotary evaporator is the method of choice for solvent removal in the modern organic laboratory.
How does a rotary evaporator remove solvent from water?
The reduced pressure in the apparatus causes the solvent to boil at a lower temperature than normal (see vacuum distillation), and rotating the flask increases the liquid’s surface area and thus the rate of evaporation. The solvent vapor condenses when it comes into contact with a water condenser and drips into a receiving flask .
How is distillation different from rotary evaporation?
One difference between distillation and rotary evaporation is that the distillate is most often retained in distillation while the residue is retained in rotary evaporation. Even though the rotary evaporator looks pretty complicated, it’s really pretty simple.
How do you use a rotovap to remove solvent?
1. Attach your flask to the bump guard of the rotovap using a Keck clip. The flask should not be more than half full of liquid. Notice that the Keck clip has larger and smaller sides to accommodate the larger neck of the round bottom flask and the smaller stem of the bump guard. 2. Turn on the spin. (See left photo marker #2.)
What do you need to know about a rotary evaporator?
Rotary evaporators are currently for sale with the favorable price and sincere service. A rotary evaporator (rotovap or rotatvap) refers to a kind of equipment for solvent evaporation under reduced pressure, which is composed of a vacuum system, a heated water or oil bath, a condenser and a motor that rotates the evaporation flask.
How is a rotary evaporator a reduced pressure distillation?
A rotary evaporator is essentially a reduced pressure distillation: a solution in a round bottomed flask is placed in the water bath of the apparatus , and rotated while the system is partially evacuated (by a water aspirator or vacuum pump).
1. Attach your flask to the bump guard of the rotovap using a Keck clip. The flask should not be more than half full of liquid. Notice that the Keck clip has larger and smaller sides to accommodate the larger neck of the round bottom flask and the smaller stem of the bump guard. 2. Turn on the spin. (See left photo marker #2.)