Schlenk flask

Schlenk flask

A Schlenk flask is a piece of laboratory glassware designed for the manipulation of air-sensitive compounds. Named after the German chemist Wilhelm Schlenk, the Schlenk flask is an essential tool in inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry laboratories for the synthesis and handling of compounds that are sensitive to air or moisture.

The design of a Schlenk flask typically includes a sidearm fitted with a stopcock that allows the flask to be connected to a Schlenk line—a dual manifold system that provides a way to alternate between vacuum and an inert gas atmosphere, such as nitrogen or argon. This feature enables chemists to remove air and moisture from the flask and to maintain an inert atmosphere during chemical reactions or when storing reactive compounds.

Schlenk flasks come in various sizes and shapes, including round-bottom, pear-shaped, and tube-like forms, to accommodate different types of reactions and volumes of substances. The choice of shape is often dictated by the specific requirements of the reaction or process being conducted.

The use of Schlenk flasks and Schlenk techniques are critical in the field of organometallic chemistry, where the stability and reactivity of metal-containing compounds can be significantly affected by the presence of oxygen or moisture. These techniques are also widely employed in the synthesis of catalysts, pharmaceuticals, and materials science applications where air and moisture exclusion is necessary.

In addition to Schlenk flasks, the Schlenk line setup includes other specialized glassware, such as reaction vessels, storage vessels, and drying tubes, all designed to facilitate the handling of air-sensitive materials.