#short path

[labphoto]

Distilling a reaction mixture using a short path distillation apparatus.

The short path distillation apparatus is used when we have to distill heat sensitive compounds that may decompose under prolonged heating. In this case if the boiling point is reached, the hot steam of the compound should only travel a short path til it is condensed down on the cold finger. 

[dewaxed]

99% THC distillate 🍯

[labphoto]

Distillation of a quite special, fluorinated compound using a short path distillation apparatus. 

Short path distillation is a distillation technique that involves the distillate travelling a short distance, often only a few centimeters, and is normally done at reduced pressure. This technique is often used for compounds which are unstable at high temperatures. In my case, the compound I distilled would have decomposed if it would been heated for prolonged time, but using this technique I was able to purify it. 

Another point was, that my compound is solid at room temperature, so if I use a long condenser and a “classic” vacuum distillation setup, the distilled compound would solidify in the condenser causing serious problems. In this case, the hot vapors heat the distillate enough to stay liquid even in the condenser and it only solidified in the ice cooled receiving flask as seen on the pictures. 

[labphoto]

Steam distillation on a bit larger scale with another short path distillation apparatus. 

The reaction mixture was rinsed with water and heated to it’s boiling point. The decomposition products stayed in the distilling flask and the product (that yellow oil at the bottom of the receiver flask) distilled with water. Easy and fast separation of the product from the gunk. The bad point is, that separating the product from the reaction mixture is usually not as simple as it was in this case.