Trimethylamine oxide dihydrate, dehydration

For dehydration 10 g. of the amine oxide dihydrate is placed in a 150-ml. flask which has a long, wide neck. Some boiling chips are added, and the compound is heated in an oil bath under a water pump vacuum of 10-12 mm. A calcium chloride tube is placed between the water pump and the flask. At an oil bath temperature of 120°, the amine oxide dihydrate melts and begins to bubble. The temperature is raised very slowly. After most of the water is off, the temperature of the bath is maintained at 140-150° for 10 minutes. A new calcium chloride tube is placed in the apparatus, and it is again heated under vacuum. At 180° sublimation starts, and anhydrous amine oxide collects in the neck of the flask. The mixture is held at a bath temperature of 190-200° for 1.5 hours to complete the sublimation. The yield of anhydrous trimethylamine oxide is around 95%. The material is extremely hygroscopic. A sample in a capillary tube melts at 208° after subliming around 180°. 

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