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Topic: Water/chloroform emulsion question  (Read 1787 times)

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Offline Clanouper

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Water/chloroform emulsion question
« on: November 07, 2014, 03:36:08 AM »

This is probably a really basic question but here goes: I'm trying to form a water(DTAB stabilized - Dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide)/chloroform emulsion, 1mL:1mL ratio, and then evaporate off the chloroform to transfer the material in the chloroform phase into DTAB micelles. When working with such a small volume (2mL), what is the best way to evaporate the chloroform? I would try blowing N2 or Ar gas over the solution but with such a small volume I think it would splash everywhere. Heat treatment in a fume hood seems like the best option, but I thought I'd get some opinions.

Also, this is my first post on the forum, so if this post is better off in another sub-forum, please let me know. Thanks!

Offline TheUnassuming

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Re: Water/chloroform emulsion question
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2014, 11:54:47 AM »
If you aren't in a hurry just put it near the lip of your fume hood.  The air flow will typically be enough to evaporate your organic layer (works great for DCM, imagine works for CHCl3). 
You can also gently blow inert gas over the sample, the key is gently.
Of course you could just rotovap it off in a few minutes and call it a day :).
When in doubt, avoid the Stille coupling.

Offline orgopete

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Re: Water/chloroform emulsion question
« Reply #2 on: November 08, 2014, 10:36:22 AM »
I'm not quite sure of the objectives here. Although water and chloroform have different vapor pressures, they are both going to evaporate. I'm guessing that if this is done by weight, when the weight of the chloroform has been removed, your sample will still contain chloroform. This would be improved if done with dichloromethane.
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