Part 1: Setting up your Column

Obtain a large rubber pipette bulb, place it into the filter, and apply pressure to the column until the solvent is at the top of the silica. Lift the bulb out of the funnel before you release the pressure - otherwise, you might suck the silica out of the column.

**IMPORTANT: Never let the solvent level drop below the top of the silica**

If necessary, use an additional 1-2 mL of ethyl acetate to rinse silica down the column sides. Drain, then close the stopcock.

Add a small scoop of sand to the top of the column, which will help you avoid disturbing the silica as you run the column. Rinse the sand down the sides of the column with a couple mLs of ethyl acetate.

Pour the ethyl acetate that you have collected in the beaker back into the graduated cylinder, then add more ethyl acetate until you have 7 mL.