Manipulating Chemicals at Small‐ and Semimicro‐Scale in Inert Atmosphere

The rational use of chemicals requires that their properties be compatible with the planned application. These properties are modified by the interactions to which the chemical substance is subjected, among which particularly relevant are those with the components of the lab atmosphere, collectively labelled air sensitivity. The air sensitivity of chemicals is remarkably amplified in the presently common small- and semimicro-scale samples and operations, due to the increased surface-to-mass ratio with respect to the time-honoured multigram scale. In this note we present ergonomy-aware procedures implemented in small- and semimicro-scale laboratory operations, which enable to work easily in an inert atmosphere without the need for awkward or expensive apparatuses such as glove box or vacuum line.