[purplewolf]

My current reaction involves the use of high boiling point solvents like trioctylamine(TOA), trioctylphorsphine oxide(TOPO), etc. It seems that I just can not get them to reflux at the supposed boiling point. For TOA I can only heat it to 320 oC as compared to the reported BP of 360 oC. I am doing the reaction under standard Argon protection. Any ideas why the temperature is significantly lower?

Another question is I am still hunting for a solvent that can reflux at >400 oC. Ideally it should only contain H, C, N, no O or F/Cl. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
 
Mod--Not sure if this is the correct forum, feel free to move if necessary. Thanks!
purplewolf