would silicon glue effect this rxn? assuming one's thermometer is a thermocouple which has been siliconed into the top of his/her's stainless steel column?
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Assuming when you mention "stainless steel column" that you´re talking about the reaction vessel (or perhaps distilling column). No matter, if that´s the case, and you planned on following xtaldocs write-up, how would you know when to turn down the heat so that you reach the reaction temperature slowly as per xtaldoc:
Rapid heating to approx 185°C, then turn the gas down (vac from the start) so the initiation point is smooth (otherwise it'll puke into receiver) at about 195°C or so.
Also, assuming you´re plan is to run this under vac, if the silicone glue fails your yields will suck. I´ve tried this both ways and vac is better. Check out the high temp RTD probe at "probes unlimited" website. They are a mfr, will make them in any length you want, and the probes are inexpensive and accurate. Hook the probe up to you digital multimeter and read the resistance on your nearby Excel spreadsheet to find the temp. The probes are attatched to your SS reaction vessel with a SS compression fitting.
Question for wise bees: when this reaction starts cranking, and quantities of CO2 are rapidly evolving from the reaction along with the white smoke (lead compounds I´m guessing), can the smoke be bubbled through something (water etc) to remove it before it enters the vacuum? The vac isn´t high enough to boil water (128mm if I recall) so I´m thinking water might be on option. Any ideas? Yes, a tube furnace would be better:) -zero