Rotary Evaporator Safety

Allen Aloise 1/27/2005

What is a Rotary Evaporator?

It accelerates the evaporation of solvent. In other words its a mini-distillery Everyone calls it a Rotovap How does it work?

spins and heats your ask places your ask under vacuum evaporates solvent from your ask and condenses and collects it elsewhere

Are There Dangers Associated with a Rotovap?

Proper operating procedure should always be followed 1. rotate the ask 2. slowly apply a vacuum 3. use a lukewarm water bath to heat

There are 3 areas of concern for safe rotovap operation

Implosion Explosion Hazardous waste

Implosion
When a vacuum exists within glassware there is a risk of implosion.

Use only glassware that is free from cracks

and imperfections

Use heavy-walled vacuum asks Use a shatter-proof collection bulb Use safety netting around the condenser

Explosion
You must investigate the properties of the compounds you are working with.

Compounds such as azides and peroxides are thermally

unstable and should not be isolated via rotovap. Ethereal solvents can form peroxides when exposed to air and light over time. When you use and then evaporate these solvents, the residue is enriched in peroxides. A violent explosion can occur.

Always date a freshly opened can of ether Do not use ether that has been opened more than 3 months

Hazardous Waste
Very large amounts of organic solvent vapor can be generated from a rotovap.

The collection bulb should be cooled to

minimize solvent loss and emptied regularly

The condenser should always be cooled An ethylene glycol/water chiller works well (-15 to 5 C) A dry ice/acetone trap works well (-78 C) Ice water at the minimum (0 to 5 C)