Buchi R-300 rotary evaporator system

Buchi R-300 Rotary Evaporator System – Used and Refurbished

The Buchi R-300 Rotary Evaporator System is a versatile laboratory evaporation platform designed for efficient solvent removal, sample concentration, distillation, solvent recovery, and other routine rotary evaporation applications. Built around Buchi’s modular Rotavapor R-300 platform, this system combines controlled flask rotation, heating, condensation, and vacuum-assisted evaporation to remove solvents efficiently while reducing the temperatures required for distillation.

This used and refurbished Buchi R-300 from American Instrument Exchange includes the R-300 rotary evaporator, B-300 heating bath and base, and glassware. The R-300 supports evaporating flasks from 50 mL up to 5 L, making it suitable for applications ranging from smaller analytical sample preparation to larger laboratory-scale concentration and solvent recovery.

The modular R-300 platform can also be integrated with compatible Buchi vacuum pumps, recirculating chillers, vacuum controllers, and other accessories when greater process control or automation is required.

Each used Buchi R-300 rotary evaporator sold by American Instrument Exchange is cleaned, inspected, and tested before shipment and includes a 90-day warranty.

Key Features

• Used and refurbished Buchi R-300 rotary evaporator system

• Includes B-300 heating bath and heating base

• Includes rotary evaporator glassware

• Supports evaporating flasks from 50 mL to 5 L

• Heating bath temperatures up to 220°C depending on configuration

• Designed for vacuum-assisted solvent evaporation and distillation

• Adjustable flask rotation for efficient evaporation

• Modular Buchi system architecture

• Combi-Clip system for convenient flask handling

• Compatible with multiple Buchi condenser configurations

• Can be expanded with compatible vacuum, cooling, and control components

• Tested by American Instrument Exchange

• 90-day warranty included

Overview

The Buchi R-300 is designed to perform single-stage laboratory distillation efficiently while minimizing unnecessary thermal stress on the sample.

During rotary evaporation, the sample is placed inside an evaporating flask that rotates partially immersed in the heated bath. Rotation continuously spreads the liquid across the inside wall of the flask, increasing the exposed surface area while helping maintain even sample mixing.

A vacuum can be applied to lower the boiling point of the solvent. This allows many solvents to evaporate at substantially lower temperatures than would be required at atmospheric pressure.

The resulting vapor travels into the condenser, where cooling removes thermal energy and causes the solvent vapor to condense. The recovered solvent then collects in the receiving flask.

By combining rotation, controlled heating, vacuum, and condensation, the R-300 provides a flexible platform for laboratory solvent removal and recovery.

Key Specifications

Common Applications

The Buchi R-300 is widely applicable to solvent removal, sample concentration, solvent exchange, distillation, solvent recovery, extraction workflows, reaction workup, purification workflows, and general sample preparation.

It can be used in pharmaceutical development, biotechnology, organic chemistry, natural-products research, food and beverage laboratories, environmental testing, chemical research, academic laboratories, and industrial R&D.

Because the R-300 supports evaporating flasks as large as 5 L, it can accommodate both routine small-batch work and substantially larger laboratory-scale evaporation processes.

Ideal Laboratory Types

The Buchi R-300 is particularly well suited to pharmaceutical and biotechnology R&D laboratories, chemistry laboratories, university research facilities, analytical laboratories, contract research organizations, natural-products laboratories, environmental laboratories, food science facilities, cannabis and botanical research laboratories where permitted, and industrial research and quality-control environments.

Its modular architecture is especially useful for laboratories that want the ability to expand or modify their evaporation system as application requirements change.

How Rotary Evaporation Works

Rotary evaporation improves solvent removal by combining several physical processes.

First, the evaporating flask rotates continuously. Rotation spreads the sample into a thin film along the inside wall of the flask, increasing the surface area available for evaporation.

Second, the heating bath transfers controlled thermal energy into the sample.

Third, applying vacuum reduces pressure inside the evaporation system. Lower pressure reduces solvent boiling points, allowing evaporation to occur at lower temperatures.

Finally, solvent vapor enters the condenser, where it is cooled back into liquid and collected in the receiving flask.

These processes allow the R-300 to remove volatile solvents efficiently while providing considerably more control than simple open-vessel evaporation.

Vacuum-Assisted Solvent Evaporation

Vacuum is central to many rotary evaporation applications because reducing system pressure lowers the boiling point of the solvent.

This is especially valuable when concentrating samples containing temperature-sensitive compounds.

Instead of applying enough heat to boil the solvent at atmospheric pressure, the operator can reduce system pressure and evaporate the solvent at a lower bath temperature.

The appropriate vacuum level depends on the solvent, bath temperature, condenser temperature, sample composition, and desired evaporation rate.

A compatible vacuum source is required for vacuum-assisted operation. A vacuum pump is not identified as included with this particular AIE system and should be selected separately if required.

B-300 Heating Bath

This R-300 system includes a Buchi B-300 series heating bath and heating base.

The heating bath supplies controlled thermal energy to the rotating evaporation flask. Buchi's R-300 platform supports bath temperatures up to 220°C, providing flexibility for a wide range of solvent and application requirements.

The actual operating temperature should always be selected according to the solvent, vacuum pressure, sample characteristics, glassware, and established laboratory procedure rather than simply using the maximum available temperature.

Flask Capacity from 50 mL to 5 L

One of the R-300's major advantages is its broad evaporating-flask range.

Buchi specifies compatibility with evaporating flasks from 50 mL through 5 L.

This allows the same rotary evaporator platform to support smaller analytical and research samples as well as larger laboratory batches.

For laboratories processing varied sample volumes, this flexibility can reduce the need to maintain separate rotary evaporation platforms for small- and medium-scale applications.

Rotation and Increased Evaporation Surface Area

Flask rotation is fundamental to rotary evaporation performance.

As the flask rotates, the sample continuously forms a thin liquid film across the interior glass surface. This dramatically increases the liquid surface area available for evaporation compared with a stationary volume of liquid.

Continuous movement also mixes the sample, helping reduce localized overheating and promoting more consistent heat transfer from the bath.

Rotation speed should be selected based on flask size, sample volume, solvent properties, bath conditions, and the behavior of the sample under vacuum.

Solvent Recovery and Condensation

Removing solvent from the sample is only part of the rotary evaporation process.

After evaporation, solvent vapor travels through the vapor duct and enters the condenser. A circulating coolant removes heat from the vapor, causing it to return to the liquid phase.

The condensed solvent then flows into the receiving flask.

Effective condensation improves solvent recovery and helps reduce the amount of solvent vapor reaching the vacuum system.

For applications involving volatile solvents, appropriate condenser temperature and cooling capacity are important parts of optimizing rotary evaporator performance.

Modular R-300 System Architecture

The Buchi R-300 was designed as a modular rotary evaporation platform rather than a single fixed configuration.

Depending on application requirements, an R-300 can be integrated with compatible Buchi vacuum pumps, vacuum controllers, recirculating chillers, interfaces, sensors, and other accessories.

This modularity allows laboratories to configure a straightforward manually controlled evaporation setup or build a more integrated system with greater control and automation.

When purchasing a used R-300 system, customers should verify the exact components included rather than assuming every component available for the R-300 platform is supplied with the individual unit.

Optional Vacuum Control and Automation

The R-300 platform can be integrated with Buchi control components such as the I-300 or I-300 Pro when compatible components are installed.

These interfaces can provide more advanced vacuum regulation and process control. Depending on configuration, Buchi's integrated R-300 platform can support solvent libraries, dynamic distillation, method-related functions, sensors, and other automated features.

These capabilities depend on the installed system configuration and should not be assumed to be present on an R-300 unless the necessary interface and supporting components are included.

The R-300 offered on this page should therefore be evaluated according to the components specifically listed with the unit.

Compatible Condenser Configurations

Buchi designed the R-300 platform for use with multiple condenser configurations.

This allows the system to be adapted to different solvent characteristics, laboratory setups, cooling arrangements, and application requirements.

The condenser and glassware supplied with an individual used system should be confirmed prior to purchase, particularly when a laboratory requires a specific glass assembly.

Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Applications

Rotary evaporation is frequently used in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research for solvent removal, reaction workup, intermediate concentration, extraction workflows, formulation research, and preparation of samples for subsequent analytical or purification steps.

The ability to reduce solvent boiling temperature through vacuum-assisted evaporation can be especially useful when working with compounds that may be sensitive to prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures.

The R-300's broad flask-size range also makes it useful for research workflows that change in scale during development.

Organic Chemistry and Synthetic Chemistry

The Buchi R-300 is particularly well suited to organic and synthetic chemistry laboratories.

After a reaction, researchers often need to remove reaction solvents, concentrate product fractions, exchange solvents, or prepare samples for subsequent purification.

Rotary evaporation provides a convenient method for accomplishing these tasks while recovering condensed solvent in the receiving flask.

For laboratories performing synthesis routinely, a rotary evaporator can become one of the most frequently used instruments in the sample-workup process.

Extraction and Natural-Products Research

Rotary evaporators are also widely used following solvent extraction.

Plant extracts, food extracts, natural products, flavors, fragrances, and other solvent-based extracts can require concentration after the extraction stage.

The R-300 allows volatile solvent to be removed under reduced pressure while the concentrated material remains in the evaporation flask.

Appropriate process conditions depend on the solvent and the thermal sensitivity of the compounds being recovered.

Sample Concentration

The R-300 can be used when a laboratory needs to reduce sample volume without simply evaporating solvent from an open container.

Vacuum-assisted rotary evaporation provides control over pressure, temperature, rotation, and condensation, allowing the evaporation process to be tailored to the solvent and sample.

This makes rotary evaporation useful both as a final concentration step and as an intermediate step before chromatography, crystallization, analysis, or additional processing.

Solvent Exchange

Some laboratory procedures require a sample to be transferred from one solvent system into another.

The R-300 can support these workflows by removing the original volatile solvent under reduced pressure before the sample is redissolved in the desired replacement solvent.

Solvent exchange is common in synthetic chemistry, purification, analytical sample preparation, and pharmaceutical research.

Reducing Thermal Stress on Samples

One of the major advantages of vacuum-assisted evaporation is the ability to lower solvent boiling temperatures.

This can reduce the thermal exposure required to remove solvent compared with atmospheric-pressure boiling.

For samples containing temperature-sensitive compounds, lower-temperature evaporation may help preserve material quality.

The degree of protection depends on the compound, solvent, pressure, bath temperature, exposure time, and overall evaporation method, so process parameters should always be selected for the specific application.

Minimizing Bumping and Foaming

Bumping can occur when rapid boiling causes sudden movement of liquid inside the evaporation flask. Foaming can also be a challenge with certain sample types.

Controlled vacuum application, appropriate rotation speed, suitable bath temperature, proper flask loading, and careful process development can help reduce these problems.

Buchi also offers compatible R-300 accessories and control options for applications where more advanced process monitoring is desirable.

Users should never overfill the evaporating flask and should establish suitable operating parameters for each solvent and sample type.

Rotary Evaporator vs. Simple Evaporation

A rotary evaporator provides considerably more process control than leaving a sample in an open vessel or simply heating it on a hot plate.

The combination of vacuum, rotation, controlled heating, and condensation can increase evaporation efficiency while allowing many solvents to be removed at lower temperatures.

The condenser also enables recovery of evaporated solvent rather than releasing it directly into the surrounding environment.

Appropriate laboratory ventilation and solvent-handling practices remain necessary.

Rotary Evaporator vs. Centrifugal Evaporator

Rotary evaporators and centrifugal evaporators both remove solvents under reduced pressure, but they serve different workflows.

A rotary evaporator is generally well suited to individual samples ranging from relatively small volumes to several liters and provides convenient solvent recovery.

Centrifugal evaporators are often selected when many smaller samples need to be concentrated simultaneously.

The appropriate system therefore depends on sample number, sample volume, solvent, required throughput, and desired final condition.

Rotary Evaporator vs. Freeze Dryer

A rotary evaporator and freeze dryer should not be considered interchangeable.

The R-300 removes volatile solvents through evaporation under reduced pressure. A freeze dryer removes frozen solvent through sublimation under vacuum.

Rotary evaporation is commonly used for liquid-phase solvent removal and concentration, while freeze drying is selected when the application specifically requires lyophilization.

Some laboratory workflows may use both technologies at different stages.

Refurbishment and Testing by American Instrument Exchange

American Instrument Exchange technicians inspect and test used laboratory equipment before shipment to verify proper operation.

For a rotary evaporator system, evaluation can include the rotary drive, lift mechanism, heating bath, controls, glassware condition, seals, connections, and other installed components.

The equipment is also cleaned before shipment.

Customers with application-specific testing requirements are encouraged to discuss them with AIE before purchase so appropriate testing can be performed before the system leaves the warehouse.

Why Buy a Refurbished Buchi R-300?

The Buchi R-300 remains a highly capable modular rotary evaporation platform for research, analytical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, chemistry, and industrial laboratories.

Purchasing a used and refurbished system can provide access to Buchi rotary evaporation technology at a lower acquisition cost than purchasing a comparable new system.

American Instrument Exchange tests and cleans the equipment before shipment and includes a 90-day warranty, providing laboratories with additional confidence when purchasing used equipment.

Shipping and Installation

The Buchi R-300 contains precision glassware and should be packed carefully for transportation.

Before installation, laboratories should confirm adequate benchtop space, electrical service, vacuum source, cooling source, ventilation, and any other utilities required by the intended system configuration.

Because rotary evaporators may be used with volatile and flammable solvents, the equipment should be installed and operated in accordance with laboratory safety procedures, solvent SDS information, applicable ventilation requirements, and manufacturer instructions.

Related Equipment

Laboratories using a Buchi R-300 rotary evaporator may also require a compatible chemical-resistant vacuum pump, recirculating chiller, vacuum controller, replacement evaporation and receiving flasks, condenser glassware, vacuum tubing, cold traps, and other evaporation accessories.

American Instrument Exchange also supplies used and refurbished vacuum pumps, chillers, freeze dryers, centrifuges, water baths, balances, and other laboratory equipment used in sample preparation, purification, concentration, and analytical workflows.

Buchi R-300 Rotary Evaporator System FAQs

What is the Buchi R-300 used for?

The R-300 is used for laboratory solvent evaporation, sample concentration, distillation, solvent recovery, solvent exchange, extraction workflows, and general sample preparation.

What size evaporation flasks can the R-300 use?

Buchi specifies evaporating flask sizes from 50 mL up to 5 L for the R-300 platform.

What is the maximum flask size?

The maximum specified evaporating flask size is 5 L.

What is the maximum heating bath temperature?

The R-300 platform supports heating bath temperatures up to 220°C, depending on the installed bath and configuration.

Does this system include a heating bath?

Yes. The AIE listing specifies a B-300 heating bath and heating base.

Does this system include glassware?

Yes. Glassware is listed as included. Customers requiring a particular condenser or flask configuration should confirm the exact included glassware before purchase.

Does this R-300 include a vacuum pump?

A vacuum pump is not specified as included with this particular AIE listing. A compatible vacuum source may therefore need to be supplied separately.

Does it include a recirculating chiller?

A chiller is not specified as included with this particular system. Cooling requirements should be determined according to the condenser configuration, solvent, and application.

Does the R-300 require vacuum?

Rotary evaporation can use reduced pressure to lower solvent boiling points and improve evaporation efficiency. A compatible vacuum source is required for vacuum-assisted operation.

Why does the flask rotate?

Rotation spreads the liquid across the inside of the flask, increasing evaporation surface area while continuously mixing the sample and improving heat transfer.

What happens to the evaporated solvent?

Solvent vapor enters the condenser, where cooling causes it to condense back into liquid. The recovered solvent then collects in the receiving flask.

Can the R-300 recover solvents?

Yes. Condensed solvent is collected in the receiving flask and can be recovered for appropriate reuse or disposal depending on the application and laboratory procedure.

Can the R-300 be used for solvent exchange?

Yes. Removing one volatile solvent before redissolving the sample in another is a common rotary evaporation workflow.

Can the R-300 be used for pharmaceutical research?

Yes. Rotary evaporation is widely used in pharmaceutical R&D for solvent removal, concentration, extraction, reaction workup, and sample preparation.

Can the R-300 be used in organic chemistry?

Yes. Synthetic and organic chemistry laboratories commonly use rotary evaporators for reaction workup, solvent removal, concentration, and solvent exchange.

Is the R-300 suitable for temperature-sensitive samples?

Vacuum-assisted evaporation can lower solvent boiling temperatures and thereby reduce thermal exposure compared with atmospheric-pressure boiling. Appropriate parameters still depend on the specific sample and solvent.

Can the R-300 be automated?

The R-300 is a modular platform that can support more advanced process control when equipped with compatible Buchi interfaces, vacuum components, sensors, and other accessories. Automation capabilities depend on the installed configuration.

What is the Buchi I-300?

The I-300 is a compatible Buchi interface that can provide centralized control and additional process functions when incorporated into an appropriately configured R-300 system.

Is an I-300 included with this unit?

The current AIE listing does not specify an I-300 interface as included.

Does American Instrument Exchange test the R-300?

Yes. AIE technicians test used equipment before shipment to confirm proper operation.

Is the R-300 cleaned before shipment?

Yes. American Instrument Exchange cleans equipment before it is shipped to the customer.

Does this used Buchi R-300 include a warranty?

Yes. American Instrument Exchange includes a 90-day warranty with this system.