[mitchie]

If I need to reflux a reaction but one of the reactants boils a few degrees before the solvent I want to use (based on cost/availability), will that be a problem? Or should I choose a solvent with a lower boiling point?

[discodermolide]

If I need to reflux a reaction but one of the reactants boils a few degrees before the solvent I want to use (based on cost/availability), will that be a problem? Or should I choose a solvent with a lower boiling point?

Why not use the reactant as the solvent, if it's not too expensive?
You can always recover the excess by distillation.

[mitchie]

Using another solvent would likely be cheaper and easier than running it neat. Are you saying that it isn't possible to use my first pick? There is only a difference in b.p. of about 5 degrees so I was hoping it might still be ok if I used a slight excess of reactant (1.2:1 vs 1:1, say). If it won't work I will just use a lower-boiling solvent.

[discodermolide]

Using another solvent would likely be cheaper and easier than running it neat. Are you saying that it isn't possible to use my first pick? There is only a difference in b.p. of about 5 degrees so I was hoping it might still be ok if I used a slight excess of reactant (1.2:1 vs 1:1, say). If it won't work I will just use a lower-boiling solvent.

Your first pick will work ok. It was just a suggestion.
Using a lower boiling solvent won't help, you will not achieve the desired temperature.
Stick with your original choice.

[AWK]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boiling_point#Impurities_and_mixtures

[fledarmus]

What is the reaction rate of your mixture at a lower temperature? As a rule of thumb (or perhaps better expressed as a rough first approximation), reaction rate doubles with every 10° increase in temperature. If you don't mind a slightly slower reaction, just go with a lower temperature.

Reflux temperatures were essential before the days of digital temperature control, but are almost superfluous now.

Another possibility is to run your reaction in a sealed flask. It takes some specialty glassware, but you don't have to worry about boiling off your reagents.