Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Where can I buy an equipment for securing water lines on 1/4-barb of reflux condensers?

Cou - 19-10-2020 at 18:00

I heard that in organic synthesis, especially when refluxing for hours, it's important to secure your water lines onto the quarter inch barb so they don't fall off and spray water everywhere. This is common practice in organic chemistry labs. I don't know how to do this, though, i've never seen anyone do it. Does anyone know the name of such an equipment? Is there something on Amazon I can buy for this?

B(a)P - 19-10-2020 at 18:09

I just use small zip ties, then snip them off when I am done.
Something like these guys

itsallgoodjames - 20-10-2020 at 03:04

Quote: Originally posted by B(a)P  
I just use small zip ties, then snip them off when I am done.
Something like these guys


I second the zip ties. I bought a package of more than I'll ever need for like $15, and I've never had any problems with them

arkoma - 20-10-2020 at 04:27

Might be "redneck" but I use bailing wire

Texium - 20-10-2020 at 04:37

I use stainless steel tubing clamps. You can buy a bag of them at the hardware store for a few bucks. They’re strong and reusable, and they come in handy for any setups involving water or vacuum. You’ll want them to be a little larger than your tubing so I think 1/2” would be the way to go.

389EB43A-3AAB-4601-8BF3-AC49E8A57CE7.jpeg - 78kB

RedDwarf - 20-10-2020 at 04:46

I bought a set of the double wire ones a bit like this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Spring-Clamps-285pcs-Set-Metal-Do...

Dr.Bob - 20-10-2020 at 07:51

They make a little wire clip for that purpose, but I have used copper wire and zip ties for years, hose clamps also work fine. Nothing fancy is needed.

The key I prefer is to control the temperature of the bath or heating mantle to only be a little higher than the desired temp, and then use a Vigreaux column or long air condenser instead of a water condenser if at all possible. Saves water and floods. For some low boiling solvents, a water condenser (or colder) is needed, but for most reactions above 70 C, I have been able to use a few long columns instead.

draculic acid69 - 22-10-2020 at 02:03

Quote: Originally posted by Dr.Bob  
They make a little wire clip for that purpose, but I have used copper wire and zip ties for years, hose clamps also work fine. Nothing fancy is needed.

The key I prefer is to control the temperature of the bath or heating mantle to only be a little higher than the desired temp, and then use a Vigreaux column or long air condenser instead of a water condenser if at all possible. Saves water and floods. For some low boiling solvents, a water condenser (or colder) is needed, but for most reactions above 70 C, I have been able to use a few long columns instead.


The air condenser is definitely underrated and underused.
I've used a long fluorescent light bulb as a reflux condenser
when I did not have any real glassware and I've used a metre long
Copper tube as a distillation condenser for thf and mek with no
Problems.ivealso always used clear aquarium tubing for condenser
Waterlines and never had one burst off and I've never used a hose clamp
If U r using a small aquarium pump and a bucket U should have nothing to
Worry about