Perkin triangle

A Perkin triangle is a specialized apparatus for the distillation of air-sensitive materials. It is named after William Henry Perkin Jr., whose design was approximately triangular in shape. The image opposite shows a more modern version, in which the glass taps have been replaced with more air-tight Teflon taps.

Some compounds have high boiling points, as well as being air-sensitive. A simple vacuum distillation system can be used, whereby the vacuum is replaced with an inert gas after the distillation is complete. However, this is a less satisfactory system if one desires to collect fractions under a reduced pressure. To do this, a "pig" adapter can be added to the end of the condenser, or for better results or for very air-sensitive compounds, a Perkin triangle apparatus can be used.

The Perkin triangle uses a series of glass or Teflon taps to allow fractions to be isolated from the rest of the still, without the main body of the distillation being removed from either the vacuum or heat source, so that the reflux may continue. To do this, the sample is first isolated from the vacuum by means of the taps; the vacuum over the sample is then replaced with an inert gas (such as nitrogen or argon) and can then be stoppered and removed. A fresh collection vessel can then be added to the system, evacuated and linked back into the distillation system through the taps to collect a second fraction, and so on, until all fractions have been collected.