iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
In a study of a specific Katritzky transamination, the reaction proceeded faster in glass than in plastic, and adding glass particles accelerated it further. The researchers linked the effect to reactive silanol groups on the glass surface. It is a notable result for this reaction—not evidence that glassware speeds up chemistry in general.
What the researchers found
Yangjie Li, Tsdale F. Mehari, Zhenwei Wei, Yong Liu and R. Graham Cooks studied a Katritzky reaction in bulk solution at room temperature. Their paper reports faster reaction in glass containers than in plastic vessels. Adding glass particles produced a further increase, and the rate rose as the amount of glass increased. The abstract also describes a similar effect in levitated droplets. The primary study was first published online in 2020 and appeared in a 2021 journal issue.
How large was the reported acceleration?
Two figures appear in the sources, but they describe results at different levels of specificity and should not be treated as interchangeable.
| Reported result | Experimental context | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 33-fold rate increase | Purdue describes an experiment using 32.5-micron glass spheres at a glass-silanol-to-reagent ratio of 1:16. | Purdue University Department of Chemistry, 2020 |
| More than two orders of magnitude increase | The primary paper’s abstract gives this broader summary for the added-glass-particle result; it is not the same stated experimental context as Purdue’s 33-fold example. | Li et al., primary study |
Why might glass change the reaction rate?
The proposed explanation is surface-mediated catalysis. The primary paper reports evidence that glass acts as a heterogeneous catalyst, participating as a base in the deprotonation step and being recovered unchanged. Purdue’s account says the reaction did not occur in its described experiment when the glass silanols were chemically blocked. That result is consistent with a role for those surface groups.
#1 Best Overall
- Lab Glassware and Labware: there are 5 measuring cups, 4 glass stirring rods, 4 graduated cylinders, 3 glass droppers and 4 lab beakers, a total of 20 pieces of laboratory glassware; This is a complete range of products to meet your laboratory science needs and uses
- Multiple Sizes to Meet Your Various Needs: measuring cups: 50ml, 100ml, 250ml, 500ml, 1000ml, glass stirring rods: 7.87 inches/ 20 cm, graduated cylinders: 100ml, 50ml, 25ml, 10ml, glass droppers: 90mm, 120mm, 200mm, lab beakers: 50ml, 100ml, 150ml, 200ml; Different sizes are suitable for various experiments
- Durable and Reliable Material: the science beakers, lab droppers, lab stirring rods and lab cylinders are made of quality borosilicate glass materials, which are thick and stable, acid and alkali resistant, available for long term use
- Easy to Use: the glass graduated cylinder and other science lab glassware are designed with clear scales for easy to read, and the measuring cups and graduated cylinders have tapered gates for easy to pour liquid
- Wide Range of Applications: these beakers and graduated cylinders are practical gifts for experimenters and science , very suitable for projects, laboratories, science researches and so on
In other words, the finding is not simply that a glass container is a passive holder. Under the reported conditions, accessible surface chemistry mattered. A 2022 review of vessel effects in organic reactions likewise discusses comparisons involving vessel types, cleaned and untreated glass, glass particles and silanized particles. The review reinforces why the glass surface’s condition and composition matter when interpreting such effects.
What the result does—and does not—show
The reported acceleration concerns one Katritzky transamination studied in particular experimental settings, including bulk solution and levitated droplets. The sources do not establish a universal advantage for glass over plastic across other reactions, substrates or laboratory conditions.
Rank #2
- Lab Glassware and Labware: there are 6 measuring cups, 6 glass stirring rods, 6 graduated cylinders, 6 glass droppers and 6 lab beakers, a total of 30 pieces of laboratory glassware; This is a complete range of products to meet your laboratory science needs and uses
- Multiple Sizes to Meet Your Various Needs: measuring cups: 2 x 50ml, 100ml, 250ml, 500ml, 1000ml, glass stirring rods: 7.87 inches/ 20 cm, graduated cylinders: 100ml, 50ml, 2 x 25ml, 2 x 10ml, glass droppers: 2 x 90mm, 2 x 120mm, 2 x 200mm, lab beakers: 2 x 50ml, 2 x 100ml, 150ml, 200ml; Different sizes are suitable for various experiments
- Durable and Reliable Material: the science beakers, lab droppers, lab stirring rods and lab cylinders are made of quality borosilicate glass materials, which are thick and stable, acid and alkali resistant, available for long time use
- Easy to Use: the glass graduated cylinder and other science lab glassware are designed with clear scales for easy to read, and the measuring cups and graduated cylinders have tapered gates for easy to pour liquid
- Wide Range of Applications: these beakers and graduated cylinders are practical gifts for experimenters and science, very suitable for projects, laboratories, science researches and so on
- The comparison depends on the reaction and substrate system, vessel material, and whether particles were added.
- For particle experiments, particle size, surface condition and accessible glass area relative to reagent are relevant variables.
- The cited reports do not establish scale-up performance, routine synthetic utility, broad substrate generality or independent laboratory replication.
- The results do not show that arbitrary consumer glass beads or ordinary glassware will reproduce the measured acceleration.
For readers outside chemistry, the practical takeaway is about experimental design: a vessel can influence a reaction when its surface participates chemically. It is not a general recipe for making reactions faster.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Contains 6 sizes, 1 of each, 10ml, 50ml, 100ml, 250ml, 500ml & 1000ml Beaker
- Material: Type 1 Class A 3.3 Borosilicate Glass ASTM Specification E960, Type I requirements
- Double-metric scale graduations with a tolerance of 5 percent
- Beakers are considered the workhorse glassware of any laboratory. Sturdy and durable, heat and corrosion resistance, acid and alkali resistance, thermal shock resistant, reusable. The flat bottom of a beaker makes it easy to place on flat surfaces such as a lab bench or a hot plate
Rank #4
- LAB-GRADE GLASS: Made from 3.3 borosilicate glass that resists rapid temperature changes up to 180°C.
- ACCURATE MEASUREMENT: Clear scale markings on each vessel ensure precise reading and liquid handling.
- SAFE HEATING USE: Suitable for controlled heating on lab plates or hot water baths, not open flame.
- FULL SET INCLUDED: Contains 3 beakers, 3 flasks, 3 cylinders, 5 droppers, 2 stir rods, and 2 cleaning brushes.
- FOR SCHOOL AND LAB: Ideal for education, learning projects, and basic scientific analysis.
Rank #3
- 【32PCS LAB GLASSWARE KIT】Included 1-neck round bottom flask(1000 ml), 2-neck round bottom flask (250 ml/1000 ml), 3-neck round bottom flask(500 ml), separator funnel with PTFE stopcock(250 ml), thermometer, Vigreux distillation column, Liebig condenser, graham condenser, PH paper bags, tube, 4 pcs adapters, glass stopper, plastic clips.
- 【SUPERIOR QUALITY】All glassware is made of upgraded 3.3 borosilicate glass material (GG-17) with good thermal stability, and the glass's thermal expansion coefficient is extremely low, making it suitable for severe temperature changes.
- 【STANDARD SIZE】The laboratory equipment with 24/40 standard joints and frosted for high air-sealed and no air leakage, ensuring distillation purity.
- 【DURABLE & REUSABLE】The glassware set can be heated directly in an open fire and can withstand typical laboratory thermal changes in chemical processes such as heating and cooling, making them durable and reusable for your experiments.
- 【WIDELY USE】The chemistry distillation set includes 32 essential devices that are perfect for distillation, purification, and synthesis, making it an excellent kit for any chemistry experiment. and Also Can DIY the essential oil whatever you like.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.
