Question

How would you test for an alcohol?

Answer 1

1. The alcohol can be tested by Sodium Metal test.
2. When alcohol reacts with Sodium metal Hydrogen gas is liberated.
3. The reaction between alcohol, that is, Ethanol $\left(C_2{H}_5\mathrm{OH}\right)$ and Sodium metal is shown as follows: $$\begin{gathered} 2{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+2\mathrm{Na}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)\to 2{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{ONa}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right) \\ \mathrm{Ethanol}\mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{Sodium} \\ \mathrm{ethoxide} \end{gathered}$$
4. Therefore, Hydrogen gas evolved with a pop sound when Sodium metal is reacted with Ethanol. This indicates that the given organic liquid is alcohol.