English: Distillation of dry and oxygen-free toluene from sodium-benzophenone desiccant. Glassware are under a slight positive nitrogen pressure from the side-arm of the receiving Schlenk flask to prevent oxygen contamination. Note that this is not a closed system - the nitrogen supply is connected to an oil bubbler (not in picture) to prevent overpressure.

Photo taken on 6 Sep 2006.

Keywords: distillation, toluene, sodium, benzophenone, desiccant

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  A bottle of benzophenone by Lancaster.
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  ]] and benzophenone to produce dry, oxygen-free toluene.
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  The mixture is still not blue yet indicating that the reaction is not complete.
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  The intense blue coloration due to the benzophenone ketyl radical shows that the toluene is considered free of air and moisture.
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  After the toluene has been thoroughly dried by the sodium and benzophenone, it is distilled at atmospheric pressure under a slight positive pressure of nitrogen to prevent contamination by air into the receiving Schlenk flask.