Problem with round bottomed flask

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a practical problem encountered during an organic chemistry experiment involving a round bottomed flask that has become stuck in an isomantle. Participants share various methods to resolve the issue without reaching a consensus on the best approach.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested, Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the situation where a round bottomed flask is stuck due to a possible spillage of acidified dichromate solution.
  • Another participant suggests using acetone to dissolve whatever is causing the flask to stick, and recommends heating the joint with a heating gun as a common solution.
  • A third participant expresses willingness to try acetone but notes previous heating attempts were unsuccessful due to the initial high temperature of the isomantle.
  • A different participant proposes gently tapping the joint with a wooden object and suggests that applying grease and heating may help, particularly for stuck caps.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing views on how to resolve the issue, with no clear consensus on the most effective method.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not specify the effectiveness of each method or any potential risks associated with the suggested approaches, leaving the discussion open-ended regarding the best resolution.

OH group student
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urgent problem with round bottomed flask

i have just done an organic experiment on the synthsesis of propanone. when i was dismantling the distillation instruments, the round bottomed flask on the isomantle was stuck, maybe because of a small spilage of the original acidified dichromate solution. it is currently stuck in the isomantle and will not budge. I've tried putting vaseline around the side of it but to no avail. can anyone help me with this?
urgent
 
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This happens all the time at work. Try using some acetone, it may get in there and dissolve what ever is holding it together. The best thing though is to take a heating gun and heat up the joint until it gets very hot. That works 99% of the time.
 
i will try the acetone. thanks
i would try heating it but it was very hot on the isomantle in the first place and it still would not budge so acetone it is, if i can get my hands on some!
 
My offer is very simple; just take a wooden object (tube holder, etc.) and hit the joint very gently and patiently. It will budge after some time. You may accelerate this by applying some grease on the joint and heating. My approach works especially with stuck caps.
 

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