We often face the difficult choice of how best to separate our compounds in our crude reaction mixture. Prep TLC and distillation are the preferred ones, but each has its downsides. For the distillation, it is the hold up or material lost in the distillation head. Fortunately, the organic lab has these microscale condensers which alleviates the problems of losing material to the distillation. But cooling the tube can be a bit problematic, since air cooling does not ensure that you are collecting all the product. Here is the first iteration aka version 1. The spatula with the pipecleaner wrapped around it, dipped in liguid N2. Then pressed against the wall of the tube. Good for warts as well.

Version 2 involves a little cup to hold the liquid N2 against the wall of the tube. 24/40 rubber septum, bread knife and tube. Bread knife to cut away excess rubber from the septum.

Over to my favorite piece of equipment that we have in the department. A hole borer, from Fisher.

Seems to work really well. Got lot’s o’ stoof in the trial distillation. And the GCMS looks super clean too!