[Enantiomer]

Out of curiosity I've been looking for what catalyst it is that removes oxygen and water, I've heard that it is a 'Q5' catalyst but that doesn't ring a bell at all.

Anyone know?

[Doc Oc]

As far as I know it isn't a catalyst used to achieve this.  Oxygen is removed by repeatedly purging the box with nitrogen or argon.  I suppose dessicants can be added, maybe Drierite or something similar?  (It wasn't very humid at my school so we didn't worry as much about the moisture).

[MissPhosgene]

There is a Q5 catalyst, produced by BASF and DOW, but I couldn't find out what it is. It might be a copper based catalyst.

Here is a link to a site where it is mentioned:

http://www.ilpi.com/inorganic/glassware/glovebox.html

[Enantiomer]

There is a Q5 catalyst, produced by BASF and DOW, but I couldn't find out what it is. It might be a copper based catalyst.

Here is a link to a site where it is mentioned:

http://www.ilpi.com/inorganic/glassware/glovebox.html

Yeah I saw this article too, I just figured that Q5 was a type or class of catalyst and wanted to know exactly the catalyst was

[macman104]

I believe Q5 is the actual catalyst that is used.  I found this paper, where they describe Q5 as 13% wt Cu(II)Oxide on Alumina.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pola.20935

[408]

I was always too lazy to do that in the gloveboxes I have used.  Instead I just left a lump of Na or K in the back in a beaker.

[wpenrose]

Those hand warmers sold in hunting and hardware shops contain iron powder and a few other things to promote rapid oxidation. They're handy for creating a moderately oxygen-free environment.

DB