Asked in ETEA MDCAT 2009 2009Moderate

Reaction of alcohol with Sodium produces:

Correct answer: A. Alkoxides

  • A. Alkoxides
  • B. Ethane
  • C. Alkane
  • D. Alloyed

Explanation

Alcohols react with sodium to form a salt (sodium alkoxide) and bubbles of hydrogen gas will be seen. This is similar to the reaction of water with sodium, except it is far less violent. The salt formed from the reaction with sodium and ethanol is called sodium ethoxide. When an alkali metal, such as sodium, is added to an alcohol, the alcohol will undergo a deprotonation reaction. The alkoxide ion, R-O-, is formed as a result of the transfer of a proton from the alcohol to the metal. For example, when sodium reacts with ethanol (CH3CH2OH), it forms sodium ethoxide (CH3CH2O-Na+).

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About Alcohols

Alcohols contain a hydroxyl group attached to a saturated carbon atom and are classified as primary, secondary or tertiary. Their nomenclature, hydrogen bonding, acidity, oxidation, dehydration, reaction with sodium and conversion to haloalkanes are covered, along with the distinction between alcohols and phenols, where the hydroxyl group is attached directly to an aromatic ring.

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