Basic Organic Chemistry Techniques

Laboratory procedures in organic chemistry typically utilize standard glassware equipment and techniques. Beakers and Erlenmeyer flasks are often used for simple mixing and holding solvents. Round-bottom flasks with either a short or a long neck are used for reactions under high heat or vacuum. This is because the round shape is more resistant to cracking under these conditions.

Heating reactions is a common lab procedure. However, a Bunsen burner is not generally used for organic compounds because they are flammable. When heating a reaction in a beaker or Erlenmeyer flask, a hot plate with a magnetic stirrer is typically used. When heating a reaction in a round-bottom flask, a water bath or heating mantle is used to accommodate the shape of the flask.

Many reactions must be heated to a certain temperature for a specific amount of time to proceed. These reactions are performed under reflux. A reflux setup uses a round-bottom flask containing a solvent whose boiling point overlaps with the optimal temperature of the reaction. A condenser is fitted onto the flask, and cold water enters at the bottom arm and exits out the top arm. As the mixture is heated and stirred, the solvent evap