Dear DCHAS group,

I was wondering if anyone had an idea or can direct me to literature on “Flash chromatography” whereby air is directed the solvent column to speed up its elution of the compound wanted. One of our researchers had gotten a cut from the glass column breaking and cutting him on the arm.

Again, when asked, he said: everybody uses this technique! Being an old analytical chemist, I did not remember this method. However, an organic professor had informed me that this method is also called “Flash chromatography” and recommended the air pressure to be no more than 20PSIG and to wrap the column in plastic tapes to protect from breakage! . The lab in question use air spigots on lab benches which runs more than 20PSI if fully opened.

Any thoughts or comments you all have are welcome. Thank you in advance and enjoy your summer.    

  ;

Yung Morgan, MsPH
Laboratory Safety
Industrial Hygiene Services
Environmental Health and Safety
117 Draper hall
UMASS,Amherst MA 01003
phone (413)  545-2682
Fax  (413) 545-2600
email : pmorgan**At_Symbol_Here**ehs.umass.edu< /o:p>