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When ethanol reacts with sodium metal, which gas is evolved as a byproduct?
Oxygen
Carbon dioxide
Hydrogen
Methane
Hydrogen
When ethanol reacts with sodium metal, hydrogen gas is evolved as a byproduct along with the formation of sodium ethoxide. This reaction demonstrates the acidic nature of alcohols, as they react with active metals to liberate hydrogen gas.
When ethanol reacts with sodium metal, hydrogen gas is evolved as a byproduct along with the formation of sodium ethoxide. This reaction demonstrates the acidic nature of alcohols, as they react with active metals to liberate hydrogen gas.
Think of sodium metal as being so reactive that it effortlessly 'kicks out' the hydrogen atom from the alcohol molecule, much like an energetic guest taking a seat and pushing another person out to form a new pair.
ANM-H: Alcohol + Sodium Metal yields Hydrogen gas.
2CH3тАЛCH2тАЛOH+2NaтЖТ2CH3тАЛCH2тАЛONa+H2тАЛтЖС тАФ Reaction of ethanol with sodium metal
CH3тАЛCH2тАЛONa тАФ Sodium ethoxide
The reaction involves the displacement of the hydroxyl hydrogen atom in ethanol by sodium metal. Sodium being an electropositive metal donates an electron to the hydrogen of the hydroxyl group, reducing it to hydrogen gas (H2тАЛ), while the remaining ethoxide ion forms an ionic bond with the sodium cation (Na+).
Alcohols like ethanol react with active metals such as sodium, potassium, and calcium to evolve hydrogen gas.
This reaction is commonly used as a chemical test to detect the presence of hydroxyl (тИТOH) groups in organic compounds.
Sodium ethoxide is a strong base and an alkoxide salt.
Serves as a reliable laboratory test for identifying alcoholic groups.
Demonstrates the weak acidic character of aliphatic alcohols.
The reaction is highly exothermic and can be hazardous if large quantities of sodium and anhydrous ethanol are mixed improperly.
Laboratory synthesis of sodium alkoxides.
Testing for the presence of active hydrogen in organic compounds.
Option A (Oxygen) is incorrect because oxygen is not released during this metal-alcohol substitution reaction.
Option B (Carbon dioxide) is typically evolved during the reaction of carboxylic acids with carbonates or bicarbonates, not alcohols with sodium.
Option D (Methane) is an alkane and is not produced in this pathway.
C is correct тАФ Hydrogen gas is evolved when ethanol reacts with sodium metal due to the displacement of hydroxyl hydrogen by the active metal.
Remember that while alcohols react with sodium to release hydrogen gas, they do not react with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) because alcohols are weaker acids than water.