Laboratory glassware assembling

Small-scale laboratory equipment can be readily cleaned and dried in an oven. Glassware can then be quickly assembled hot and allowed to cool under a stream of nitrogen or argon, thus excluding atmospheric moisture. But large-scale equipment cannot readily be dismantled, dried in hot ovens, and reassembled quickly. Therefore it is essential that water be flushed from all portions of equipment. 

The apparatus illustrated schematically in Fig. B8 is normally constructed of Pyrex glassware using standard size cone and socket joints. Experience of laboratory glass blowing and handling is required to assemble and operate the equipment. 

To perform most of the experiments in the organic chemistry laboratory, you must first assemble the appropriate apparatus. In the sections that follow, you will be introduced to the various techniques. All experiments require certain items of glassware, various heating or cooling devices, and a means to mix the contents of a reaction vessel. The assembly of the various pieces of glassware and equipment according to the diagrams will seem awkward at first, but with practice you will soon be able to set up your own apparatus with ease. 

Illustrated in Figure 1.4 (overleaf) is a typical set of glassware and Quickfit glass apparatus which you might encounter in any modern laboratory, whether it be in a university or in industry. You should try and familiarize yourself with the names and shapes of each of these pieces of apparatus, so that when you come to follow an experimental procedure, you know exactly what apparatus you need to assemble. 

---