Sodium methoxide reaction: Pipet 1.65 mL of a 25% (by weight) solution of sodium methoxide in methanol into a 10 mL reaction flask. Add 0.35 mL of dry methanol and 0.22 mL of 2-bromoheptane. Put a magnetic stirring bar into the flask. Fit a condenser to the flask, then fit a drying tube containing calcium chloride on top of the condenser. While stirring magnetically, put the flask into a hot sand bath and heat the mixture under reflux for 30 min.