Im currently trying to write a lab report for the synthesis of dimolybdenum tetraacetate [Mo₂(O₂CCH₃)₄] from the reaction of molybdenum hexacarbonyl, Mo(CO)₆ in glacial acetic acid and acetic anhydride under a nitrogen atmosphere, involving the difficult formation of a quadruple bond and requires high heat and long reaction time (approximately 20 hours). But these are the question Im stumped on:

1. Why need the reaction be done under nitrogen?

We also added dichlorobenzene and hexanes during the reaction.

2. Explain the purpose of dichlorobenzene and hexanes.

3. Why does the reaction take 20 hrs?