if your yield was not as high as you would have preferred, what steps might be taken (beyond mechanical errors such as not spilling) to increase the yield of the reaction?

Answer

The specific steps to increase yield depend on the type of reaction and the reactants involved, but in general, we can ensure complete reaction, use stoichiometric ratios of reactants, use high purity reactants, and adjust reaction conditions to favor product formation.

Q: What was the yield of the reaction? A: The question does not specify.
Q: What type of reaction is it and what are the reactants involved? A: The question does not specify.
Q: What steps can be taken to increase the yield of a reaction in general? A: We can follow the following general steps: 1. Ensure that the reactants are completely reacted by giving sufficient time for the reaction to occur, heating or cooling as necessary, and providing suitable catalysts or solvents. 2. Ensure that the reactants are present in stoichiometric ratios. 3. Ensure that the reactants are of high purity. 4. Adjust reaction conditions such as temperature, pressure, pH, and concentration of reactants in order to favor product formation over reactant formation.