Mircoscale – Inert atmosphere reactions

Reactions under inert atmosphere can be carried out at microscale in a similar way to miniscale reactions. A first possibility is to perform them under a stream of nitrogen, when a centralized gas system is available, or a gas cylinder to which a Teflon or silicone tube is connected with a syringe without the plunger and a needle at the end.

To check the flow, the gas must first be bubbled in a container with an organic solvent.

Mircoscale: Inert atmosphere reactions

It will then be punctured into a septum that is used as a stopper of the container in which the reaction is carried out and a second needle will be punctured to prevent overpressure. The nitrogen displaces the air and will keep the inside of the container free of oxygen.

Another option, which is also used in miniscale, is to puncture a balloon filled with nitrogen, attached to a syringe without the plunger, and punctured with a needle, into a septum. In this way, the inside of the assembly can be kept with an inert atmosphere.

Mircoscale: Inert atmosphere reactions

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