Question

Identify the balanced chemical reaction of sodium with ethanol.

• A. $2\mathrm{Na}+{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{OH}\to 2{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{CHO}+2\mathrm{NaH}$
• B. $2\mathrm{Na}+{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{OH}\to 2{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{Na}+H_{2}O$
• C. $2\mathrm{Na}+2{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{OH}\to 2{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{ONa}+H_2$
• D. $2\mathrm{Na}+{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{OH}\to {\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{ONa}+H_2$

Answer 1

The correct option is C $2\mathrm{Na}+2{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{OH}\to 2{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{ONa}+H_2$

The reaction between sodium and alcohol is a metal-acid reaction. Metals generally liberate hydrogen on reacting with acids.

Ethanol reacts with sodium leading to the evolution of hydrogen and sodium ethoxide. The reaction occurs as follows:

$2\mathrm{Na}\left(s\right)+2{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to 2{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{ONa}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+H_2\left(g\right)$