An Illustrated Guide to Schlenk Line Techniques

Abstract

Schlenk lines are versatile pieces of laboratory equipment that enable the safe and convenient manipulation of air-and moisture-sensitive compounds. First pioneered in 1913 by Wilhelm Schlenk, the apparatus and techniques used today have evolved considerably, allowing more challenging and sensitive synthetic chemistry to be carried out on a routine basis. This tutorial, which is based on The Schlenk Line Survival Guide, aims to showcase and explain the key technical aspects of Schlenk line chemistry through a series of illustrated guides. It is hoped that this practical guide provides a useful introductory resource and teaching tool for beginner Schlenk line users, as well as a convenient go-to aid for chemists of all proficiency.

Training Undergraduate Sophomore or Junior Students in Air- and Moisture-Sensitive Reaction Techniques through a Multistep Synthesis of the Tripodal Bis[2-(2,3-dihydroxyphenyl)-6-pyridylmethyl](2-pyridylmethyl)amine (BCATTPA) Compound

“…Students were asked to familiarize themselves with the air-free technique guides and manuals, ,,,− and watch their instructor setup the reaction apparatuses during short in-person prelab demonstrations prior to running each step. The first step to synthesizing BCATTPA involved the synthesis of 2-bromo-6-hydroxymethylpyridine (Scheme ).…”

“…Standard operating procedures (SOPs) on degassing solvents, dispensing liquids, setting up vacuum traps, and performing vacuum transfers have been uploaded to The Safety Net SOP repository . The Schlenk Line Survival Guide is an invaluable education resource filled with illustrated step by step guides on how to perform these air- and moisture-free techniques . There have also been published video demonstrations on the use of a Schlenk line for degassing liquids and handling and transferring sensitive reagents, − which have been referenced and used in other educational video demonstrations. − Select papers have been published reporting laboratory experiments that incorporate these techniques, − and in 2021, a call for papers was issued for a special issue on Chemical Safety Education: Methods, Culture, and Green Chemistry where one article dealt with the subject of using syringes to handle air- and moisture-sensitive reagents .…”

“…7 The Schlenk Line Survival Guide is an invaluable education resource filled with illustrated step by step guides on how to perform these air-and moisture-free techniques. 8 There have also been published video demonstrations on the use of a Schlenk line for degassing liquids and handling and transferring sensitive reagents, 9−11 which have been referenced and used in other educational video demonstrations. 12−17 Select papers have been published reporting laboratory experiments that incorporate these techniques, 18−23 These courses are developed to provide students the opportunity to join a research laboratory for a semester and learn the techniques necessary for conducting experiments in the field under the guidance of the research active faculty.…”

Influence of Rare-Earth Ion Radius on Metal–Metal Charge Transfer in Trinuclear Mixed-Valent Complexes

“…All procedures for air- and moisture-sensitive compounds were carried out with rigorous exclusion of O 2 and moisture in flame or oven-dried Schlenk-type glassware interfaced to a dual-manifold Schlenk line or Ar-fed high-vacuum (<10 –6 –10 –7 Torr) line using an oil diffusion pump, or in an Ar-filled Mbraun glovebox with a high capacity recirculator (<0.5 ppm O 2 ). Argon for high-vacuum lines (Airgas, UHP grade) was purified by passage through MnO/vermiculite and Davison 4 Å molecular sieve columns .…”

An Experimental Introduction to Colloidal Nanocrystals through InP and InP/ZnS Quantum Dots

“…Preparations are performed in a fume hood. If the students have no experience with Schlenk lines, we strongly advise them to read The Schlenk Line Survival Guide published by A. M. Borys . Schlenk line use requires explicit training and supervision.…”