Microscale Gas Chemistry

Resumen

This article starts with a historical overview of the chemistry of gases from the first mention of air by Empedocles down through Lavoisiers Oxygen Theory. Gas generating equipment is reviewed along the way. The traditional macroscale apparatuses of the 19th and 20th centuries are reviewed. We next discuss the tenets of microscale chemistry and how these apply to gas chemistry. Before introducing the Alyea-Mattson method for generating gases in 60 mL syringes, a variety of microscale gas methods have been developed and these are reviewed. Detailed instructions for generating gases in large syringes are given. We finish with an overview of the eleven gases that can be generated by this method and list the experiments and classroom that can be performed with each. Our free website, dedicated to microscale gas chemistry is described.