Home Organic Chemistry How to Use a Rotovap (Rotary Evaporator)
Steps
  1. 1 Turn on hot water bath 00:26
  2. 2 Enable cooling and water flow 00:38
  3. 3 Generate vacuum with water aspirator 00:48
  4. 4 Attach splash trap and flask 01:06
  5. 5 Rotate flask and apply heat 01:48
  6. 6 Stop rotation and cool compound 02:14
  7. 7 Release vacuum and disassemble apparatus 02:42
  8. 8 Shut down system and collect solvent 03:01
Organic Chemistry YouTube (Curated Tutorials)

How to Use a Rotovap (Rotary Evaporator)

Protocol
Difficulty
intermediate

Steps

1
Turn on hot water bath

Power on the hot water bath and set the temperature to approximately 30°C or lower. This will gently heat the flask during evaporation.

▶ 00:26
2
Enable cooling and water flow

Close the air inlet on the rotovap bath and turn on the cold water to begin cooling the condenser.

▶ 00:38
3
Generate vacuum with water aspirator

Turn on the water aspirator to create a vacuum inside the system. Ensure the tap is fully open to achieve proper pressure reduction.

▶ 00:48
4
Attach splash trap and flask

Attach the splash trap to the rotor valve, then attach your round bottom flask containing the solution and product. Hold firmly until pressure exceeds 40 on the manometer.

▶ 01:06
5
Rotate flask and apply heat

Enable the rotation function and gently rotate the round bottom flask. Lower the flask into the hot water bath for gentle heating during evaporation.

▶ 01:48
6
Stop rotation and cool compound

Once solvent evaporation is complete and crystals have formed, turn off the heater and gently lift the flask out of the hot water bath. Stop the rotation function.

▶ 02:14
7
Release vacuum and disassemble apparatus

Hold the round bottom flask securely and release the vacuum. Remove the glassware from the rotor valve.

▶ 02:42
8
Shut down system and collect solvent

Turn off the water aspirator and cooling water flow. Empty any residual solvent from the receiving flask.

▶ 03:01
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