Elevating Reaction Temperature

You can use three types of baths to heat your reaction: water, oil and sand. Typically, you want to choose a bath temperature that allows solvent reflux, or just above the boiling point of your solvent.

High Temperature Reactions

• A hot plate/oil bath apparatus with internal temperature control is the most common, and the safest.
• Pros and Cons: The oil bath/hot plate/stirring combo with automatic temperature control is really convenient. But, you end up with messy glassware, gloves, and sometimes an oily stirring plate /hood as well.
• Be aware that mineral oil polymerizes at ~150 degrees; for higher temperatures switch to silicone oil or a heating mantle with sand (see below).
• Heating mantle full of sand controlled by a Variac. Sand is less messy than oil and high temperatures are easy to attain. Put a thermometer in the sand and then experiment with the Variac until you achieve the correct temperature.
• For lower temperatures, you can use a water bath on a hot plate. This is sometimes convenient for gentle heating (35-80 degrees), you avoid the mess of an oil bath.

See Also:

• High Temperature Reactions
• Complete list of heat sources for chemical reactions