The condenser has cold water flowing through it; the solvent which has evaporated from the reaction will condense on the surface of the condenser and drip back down into the reaction, thus preventing your reaction from drying out.
Question: Please choose the best setup for the synthesis.
If water enters from the top, it drains from the bottom and the condenser will never be full. A full condenser is necessary to maximize the heat transfer for condensation. Please try the alternative option.
It is important that water goes in the bottom of the condenser and out the top (so water flows against gravity) or else the condenser will be ineffective as it will not fill completely.
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