reaction flask total reflux the condenser outlet on the dean stark trap led to a container to catch any foam or liquids uncondensed by the condenser the foam container was connected by a tee to a positive nitrogen source and a precision scientific wet test meter the meter gave both total gas evolution and instantaneous gas evolution rates the wet test flowmeter also served to isolate the system from air and prevent flashbacks in the event of hydrogen ignition the exit port from the wet test meter was to an exhaust hood oil was used as the heat transfer agent a 600 watt thermowatch heat source for the oil was supplemented when necessary with a hot plate type heater stirrer a high grade silicon oil with a flash point of 315 u00b0 c was the heat transfer agent in the bath into the reaction vessel was placed 388 8 g of monsanto 39 s 7911 alcohol 2 69 mole while stirring 122 4 g of sodium hydroxide 2 97 mole 3 9 g of zinc oxide 5 9 g of calcium hydroxide and 5 9 g of magnesium hydroxide were then added to the vessel the vessel was sealed and purged with nitrogen and water was placed in the addition funnel and heating commenced after initial water removal to initiate reaction an attempt was made to control the reaction by adding water back from the addition funnel table iii shows the course of the reaction with time zero being when vapors first distilled at 25.