rokudo

Hey guys I am hoping that someone here who has a strong organic background can help me out. Quant, phys chem, no problems ... i got some question on the procedure for synthesis of 1-phenylethanol 1) In the synthesis of 1-phenylethanol, we poured acetophenone into methanol. Next, we prep a solution of methanol, sodium methoxide, and sodium borohydride (in that order). so why we need to used sodium methoxide?? is it bcz its a strong nucleophilic and base for substitation ?? 2) why we need to used vacuum distillaton for purification of 1-phenylethanol, not the normal distillation... Thanks!