Question

Ethanol reacts with sodium and forms two products. These are:
A.Sodium ethanoate and hydrogen
B.Sodium ethanoate and oxygen
C.Sodium ethoxide and hydrogen
D.Sodium ethoxide and water

Answer 1

We need to know the reactants and understand their mechanism to predict the end products. We know that sodium is a very highly reactive element and just by the simple reaction with water, it leaves behind a white solid of sodium hydroxide along with the evolution of hydrogen gas. Similarly, when alcohols are reacted with sodium, it reacts vigorously to form alkoxides.

Complete step by step answer:
We know that the reaction of alcohols with sodium produces alkoxides. These are very strong conjugate bases of alcohol and consist of an organic group coming from the alcohol along with a negatively charged oxygen atom. The reaction of sodium with water can give us a better view of understanding the structure of alkoxides.
$2{H_2}{O_{(l)}} + 2N{a_{(s)}} \to 2NaO{H_{(s)}} + {H_2}_{(g)}$
This solid $NaOH$ is obtained after evaporating the solution to dryness.
We now study the reaction of particular alcohol named ethanol when allowed to react with sodium and find out the end products.
The reaction between ethanol and sodium is given as follows:
$2C{H_3}C{H_2}O{H_{(l)}} + 2N{a_{(s)}} \to 2C{H_3}C{H_2}{O^ - }N{a^ + }_{(s)} + {H_2}_{(g)}$
Similar to$NaOH$, $C{H_3}C{H_2}{O^ - }N{a^ + }$ is also present in the solution as ions but the evaporation of the solution leaves behind the solid. This compound is known as sodium ethoxide which is similar to sodium hydroxide but the hydrogen is replaced by the ethyl group. Along with sodium ethoxide, there is an evolution of hydrogen gas.
Hence, the correct option is option (C).

Note:
It must be noted that this is not a convenient test for the detection or confirmation of alcohol since sodium is a very reactive metal and not easy to handle. It reacts violently with acids hence the solution used for reaction should be completely neutral. In addition, it must be made sure that the solution does not contain water because sodium prioritizes water over alcohol.