Components & functions

• Round-bottom flask: Holds the reaction mixture.
• Vertical condenser: Condenses rising vapor; liquid drains back by gravity.
• Clamp and support stand: Hold joints without excessive stress.
• Heating mantle or bath on a lab jack: Provides controlled, removable heat.

Arrangement principles

The condenser stays vertical. Cooling water enters the lower jacket port and exits the upper port. The top remains open to a suitable vent path; a drying/inert-gas arrangement needs its own approved pressure-management design.

Common mistakes

Reversed coolant flow, blocked vent, vigorous boiling or unrestrained hoses.

Safety

Never heat a sealed system. Use suitable ventilation, controlled heat and approved stirring/boiling control. Keep coolant flowing during cool-down.

Components & functions

• Boiling flask: Generates vapor under controlled heating.
• Distillation head and thermometer: Route vapor; thermometer bulb sits at the sidearm vapor takeoff.
• Descending Liebig condenser: Cools vapor as condensate flows toward the receiver.
• Vented receiver adapter and receiving flask: Collect liquid without sealing the heated assembly.

Arrangement principles

Support flask and condenser. Cooling water enters the lower, receiver-end jacket port and leaves the higher, head-end port. Vapor and condensate travel toward the receiver.

Common mistakes

Thermometer bulb outside vapor path, rising condenser orientation, blocked receiver vent or distilling dry.

Safety

Use compatible heat and boiling control. Never seal atmospheric distillation or distill to dryness. Consider peroxide-forming solvent hazards under the laboratory SOP.

Components & functions

• Boiling flask: Generates vapor.
• Vertical fractionating column: Creates successive equilibration stages.
• Head, thermometer and descending condenser: Measure vapor temperature and condense the distillate.
• Vented receiver: Collects separated fractions.

Arrangement principles

The column sits vertically between flask and head. Establish suitable reflux without flooding. Coolant enters the low condenser port and leaves the high port.

Common mistakes

Flooding the column, heating too quickly, unsupported tall glassware or assuming the column separates every azeotrope.

Safety

Support the column and condenser independently. Keep the heated path vented and avoid dryness. This diagram does not specify temperatures or operating rates.

Components & functions

• Büchner funnel and fitted filter paper: Retain the solid.
• Seal / adapter: Connect funnel to flask.
• Thick-walled filter flask: Receives filtrate under reduced pressure.
• Vacuum trap and regulated source: Reduce carryover and provide suction.

Arrangement principles

Clamp the receiver. The filter-flask sidearm connects through a trap to vacuum; a controlled release connection permits pressure equalization. Filtrate flows down through the paper.

Common mistakes

Using an ordinary thin-walled flask, poorly fitted paper, overfilling the receiver or omitting a trap.

Safety

Use vacuum-rated glass, inspect for cracks and provide protection appropriate to the SOP. Release vacuum before dismantling; manage aspirator backflow where applicable.

Components & functions

• Separatory funnel: Contains the two liquid phases.
• Stopper: Used while mixing; removed for gravity draining.
• Ring and stand: Support the funnel during settling and draining.
• Receiving vessels: Collect each phase separately.

Arrangement principles

Identify phases rather than assuming which is organic. Mix and vent safely away from people, then allow separation. The draining diagram shows the stopper removed so air can enter.

Common mistakes

Assuming the lower phase is always aqueous, forgetting to vent, draining with the stopper in place or discarding an unidentified phase.

Safety

Pressure can develop from volatile solvents and gas-evolving washes. Follow approved mixing/venting procedures; hold both stopper and stopcock securely when handling.

Components & functions

• Rotating evaporating flask and bath: Form a thin liquid film with controlled heating.
• Drive and vapor duct: Rotate the flask and route vapor toward the condenser.
• Condenser and receiving flask: Condense and collect solvent.
• Vacuum controller, trap and pump: Manage reduced pressure and protect the vacuum system.

Arrangement principles

Secure the rotating flask with the correct restraint. Vapor follows the duct to the condenser; condensate drains to the receiver. Coolant routing is model-specific; the schematic shows bottom-to-top flow through a jacket.

Common mistakes

Applying full vacuum abruptly, overfilling, inadequate cooling, unrestrained joints or lowering the flask too far into the bath.

Safety

Inspect glass and seals. Use a controlled vacuum ramp and suitable protection against bumping. Follow the manufacturer sequence for lifting, stopping and venting; never disconnect an evacuated flask.