What is the function of a rotary evaporator?

The rotary evaporator is a piece of laboratory equipment that is frequently used all over the world. Its main function is to separate and purify compounds through the process of evaporation. It works by rotating a flask containing a liquid sample under reduced pressure. This rotation helps increase the surface area of ​​the liquid inside the flask, allowing it to evaporate faster. The reduced pressure lowers the boiling point of the liquid, making the evaporation process work better at lower temperatures. This is particularly useful for heat-sensitive compounds that may degrade at higher temperatures.

The evaporated vapor is then condensed back into liquid in a condenser and collected in a separate flask. This separation process is crucial in a variety of applications. For example, in chemical synthesis, the rotary evaporator can be used to remove solvents from reaction mixtures. In the pharmaceutical industry, the rotary evaporator helps to purify active ingredients. In food science, the rotary evaporator can be used to concentrate flavor compounds. The rotary evaporator is a versatile tool that plays an important role in many laboratory procedures.