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Dean Stark Distillation Receiver

Dean Stark Distillation Receiver

SKU CH-D451414
R 500.00 - R 560.00
R 500.00
R 500.00 - R 560.00
R 500.00
Availability:
Only 3 left!
Availability:
Only 2 left!
Availability:
Only 2 left!

Dean Stark Distillation Receiver (also known as a Dean-Stark Trap) is a specialized piece of laboratory glassware used to continuously remove water or other liquid byproducts from a reaction mixture during reflux. This is commonly used in azeotropic distillation to drive chemical equilibria toward the product side, such as in esterification reactions. 

 
Core Function & Mechanism
The receiver works by distilling an azeotropic mixture (e.g., toluene and water). Once condensed, the two immiscible liquids separate in the trap based on their density: 
  • Phase Separation: The water (more dense) settles at the bottom of the graduated trap.
  • Recycling: The organic solvent (less dense) flows back into the reaction flask once the liquid level reaches the side-arm overflow.
  • Monitoring: The graduated scale allows for real-time measurement of the water produced, indicating when the reaction is complete. 
Key Components
  • Graduated Reservoir: A cylindrical tube used to measure the volume of the collected phase. Common capacities include 5mL, 10mL, and 25mL.
  • Stopcock: Usually a PTFE (Teflon) or glass tap at the bottom for easy draining of the collected water.
  • Joints: Typically features standard taper ground glass joints, with 24/29 being standard in many regions and 24/40 common in the US.
  • Vapour Tube: A side-arm that provides a path for vapours to travel from the boiling flask to the condenser. 
Common Applications
  • Organic Synthesis: Removing water byproducts in esterification or Schiff base synthesis to increase yield.
  • Moisture Determination: Quantitatively measuring the water content in petroleum products, food (like bread or fats), and oils.
  • Solvent Drying: Removing traces of water from solvents like toluene through azeotropic distillation. 
Comparison: Dean-Stark vs. Clevenger
While similar in appearance, their primary use differs: 
  • Dean-Stark: Primarily used to remove water as a waste byproduct or for moisture analysis.
  • Clevenger: Specifically designed for the extraction of essential oils, often featuring a return arm to recirculate the water (hydrosol) while trapping the oil.