separatory funnel

A separatory funnel is a crucial piece of laboratory glassware used for separating immiscible liquids with different densities. Commonly made from borosilicate glass, the funnel features a conical or pear-shaped body with a stopcock at its narrow end and a ground glass stopper at the top. The unique design allows for the efficient separation of two liquid phases, such as oil and water, based on their density differences.

The funnel’s stopcock, typically made of Teflon or glass, enables precise control over the release of the lower liquid layer, making it easy to collect the separated phases without cross-contamination. Separatory funnels are widely used in organic chemistry, biochemistry, and industrial applications for tasks such as liquid-liquid extractions, phase separation, and washing reactions. They come in various sizes, from small 50 mL versions for micro-scale operations to larger 2-liter models for industrial-scale processes.