Here's the general reaction:
2ROH + 2Na → 2RONa + H₂
Where:
* ROH represents the alcohol
* RONa represents the alkoxide
* H₂ represents hydrogen gas
Explanation:
Sodium metal is a strong reducing agent. When it reacts with an alcohol, it donates an electron to the oxygen atom in the alcohol molecule. This creates a negatively charged alkoxide ion (RONa) and a positively charged sodium ion (Na+). The hydrogen atom in the alcohol molecule is also removed as a proton (H+), which combines with another hydrogen atom to form hydrogen gas.
Example:
The reaction of ethanol (CH3CH2OH) with sodium metal produces sodium ethoxide (CH3CH2ONa) and hydrogen gas:
2CH3CH2OH + 2Na → 2CH3CH2ONa + H₂
