S.G. Waters Solvent Drying/Degassing System

The S.G. Waters Solvent Drying/Degassing System is available to all of IMS. It is located in room 218B, on the right side in the back hood - near the windows. The system uses argon to degas the solvents, pressurize the system, and purge the collection flask if necessary. The solvents used in the system are Fisher Optima brand (available in the stockroom) or another equivalent. Both tetrahydrofuran (uninhibited) and toluene are available from the system.

Please note that this system should be used to obtain solvent for reactions that require extremely dry and air-free conditions - not to obtain small amounts of solvent or for convenience. The solvents used in this system are much more expensive than general purpose toluene and THF, and the drying columns are very expensive, and have a limited lifetime.

About the System

On the right side of the hood are the solvent resivoirs. These hold up to 20L of solvent. Under each resivoir is a balance. Do not take solvent from the system if the respective balance reads zero (0) pounds - this means that the resivoir must be refilled before use, a process with takes about one (1) hour.

On the left side of the hood are the drying columns and dispensing controls. The controls correspond with the columns directly behind and slightly left of the controls - THF is on the left (yellow controls) and toluene is on the right (grey controls). The bottom right lever controls argon - which can be used to purge the collection flask, if attached. The middle left lever controls the solvent flow. The top right lever is not used. The levers are off when pointing to the left (9 o'clock, as in the picture) and are full on when pointing down (6'o'clock).

The collection flasks hold up to 500 mL of solvent, and can be used if absolutely dry/air-free conditions are required. A cannula can be used to transfer between the collection flask and your flask that is under vaccum. If you need to be shown how to do this, please ask Ian.

Logsheet and Solvent Supply

A logsheet is hanging on the argon tank next to the system. You must fill out the logsheet every time you use the solvent system, no matter what quantity you take. Estimate the amount of solvent you take as closely as possible. Be sure to write down who your advisor is if you are not a member of the Sotzing Group, and fill out the separate log sheet for your group.

Anyone not a member of the Sotzing Group must also supply solvent to refill the system. This solvent must be Fisher Optima Brand (available in the stockroom) or an equivalent - see Ian for a complete list. Solvent supplied by another research group will be logged on a separate log sheet, and the amount used can be tracked there. Please supply a bottle before you use the system or once you have used up the amount you supplied previously. If you bring solvent for the system to 218B, either tell Ian that you have left it, or leave it in the hood with the solvent system with a note giving your name and the group you are in.