Microscale Laboratory Techniques

Traditionally, experiments in organic chemistry are carried out on a macroscale level, employing quantities of chemicals on the order of 5-100 g, using glassware designed to contain between 25 and 500 mL of liquids.  For quantities of materials in the 0.005-0.5 gram range, one employs different, "microscale" techniques and equipment in order to carry out the various standard organic laboratory operations.  In the following, the student is introduced to the special equipment used in microscale experiments, as well as the somewhat different methods which are used.

This manual is also available as a single document.

Basic Equipment
Handling of Liquids
Handling of Solids
Carrying out Reactions
Extractions
Recrystallization
Distillation

wjl; 25-nov-97