Chapter 6 Working with Laboratory Equipment

The handbook contains also a general part, which deals with the equipment and its use, standard conditions, and special working techniques. The quantitative evaluation and the especially important isotope techniques are discussed in detail. The final chapter explains the theoretical principles of chromatography comprehensively and in a new view. Numerous illustrations and tables comment in a graphic way upon the concise and clear text and contribute to make this handbook an indispensable aid for each laboratory. 

In this chapter we will describe general laboratory and bench equipment which we have found to be of use when working with modem organic chemical reactions. 

An individual planning to work with carcinogenic material must be prepared to ensure that the laboratory hygiene plan developed to meet the performance standards implicit in 29 CFR 1910.1450, the laboratory safety standard, meets all of the criteria set forth in the standard in terms of quality of the facihty, training and information made available to the employee, operational procedures, and availability of personal protective equipment. These considerations should arise at least by the time of purchase of the research material or before. Therefore, the list of chemicals considered to be probable carcinogens was placed in the section on purchasing earlier in this chapter. 

Prudent execution of experiments requires not only sound judgment and an accurate assessment of the risks involved in laboratory work, but also the selection of appropriate work practices to reduce risk and protect the health and safety of the laboratory workers as well as the public and the environment. Chapter 3 provides specific guidelines to enable laboratory workers to evaluate the hazards and assess the risks associated with laboratory chemicals, equipment, and operations. Chapter 4 demonstrates how to control those risks when managing the inventory of chemicals in the laboratory. How the protocols outlined in Chapter 3 are put to use in the execution of a carefully planned experiment is the subject of Chapter 5. 

Chapter 6 provides precautionary methods for handling laboratory equipment commonly used in conjunction with hazardous chemicals. Chapters 3, 5, and 6 should all be consulted before working with hazardous chemicals. 

Proper use of laboratory equipment is required to work safely with hazardous chemicals. Maintenance and regular inspection of laboratory equipment are an essential part of this activity. Many of the accidents that occur in the laboratory can be attributed to improper use or maintenance of laboratory equipment. This chapter discusses prudent practices for handling the apparatus often used in laboratories. 

As outlined in previous chapters, it is essential for each laboratory worker to be proactive to ensure the laboratory is a safe working environment. This attitude begins with wearing appropriate apparel and using proper eye, face, hand, and foot protection when working with hazardous chemicals. It is the responsibility of the institution to provide appropriate safety and emergency equipment for laboratory workers and for emergency personnel. (See also section 5.C.)... 

In all chapters the latest journal articles and patents have been reviewed. Each chapter has tables presenting compilations from several papers, and they are all appropriately referenced. Each contains an introductory section in which older preparative references are given in order to maintain the continuity of the subject. Procedures are chosen on the basis of safety considerations and ease of being carried out with standard laboratory equipment. Each chapter should be considered a good preparative introduction to the subject and not a final, definitive work. Space limitations have guided us in presenting only the core of the subject. This book should be especially useful to industrial chemists and students of polymer chemistry because it provides a ready source of preparative procedures for various polymer syntheses. 

This is the second volume of The Practical Approach in Chemistry Series. This series aims to provide detailed and accessible laboratory guides which are suitable for researchers who are not necessarily familiar with the area in question. The authors are respected authorities who detail key experimental procedures in a step-by-step format. Such procedures contain information on reaction equipment and conditions, work-up procedures, and other key experimental details that are tricks of the trade . Whilst a comprehensive coverage of the literature is not provided, each chapter does contain background information and leading references that will aid further reading. 

In this chapter, we begin by describing the laboratory facilities and equipment needed for biochemical and molecular biological work. This is followed by advice on safe working in the laboratory, and discussion of the safety regulations that usually apply in a biochemistry laboratory. We describe a range of common laboratory activities, but do not include some important topics, such as chromatography, electrophoresis and photometric methods, which are considered later in specific chapters. The chapter concludes with a description of radioactive methods, and advice about alternatives to the use of radioactivity. 

For laboratory use, most electrolyses can be achieved with a U-shaped cell equipped with a glass frit separator. In electrochemistry, the notion of the working electrode dipping in a well-defined surrounding is essential. The electrochemist defines the reaction (oxidation at the anode in the anodic compartment or reduction at the cathode in the cathodic compartment) to be achieved, and what happens at the other electrode (called counter electrode) does not really matter (although one has to avoid efficiently any diffusion of effluents formed in the other compartment). Some examples of electrolysis cells are shown and commented on at the end of this chapter (Sect. 6.15). 

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