It depends on the type of reaction,using of catalyst or not,the technique.....etc.Any way the middle part (one mole) should contains two moity of same functional group (it is better to on para position) with two moles of the terminal moity.you can using ultrasonic irradation specially if you are using catalyst or metals in the reaction or using microwave without using solvent (free-solvent)
it is easy if the reaction is known, just take consideration for the particularity of the structure of the substrate. So, the two reaction centers (functional groups) are far from to each other or not. are there other functional groups that have any effect on the reaction.