Question
Explain why sodium metal can be used for drying diethyl ether but not ethyl alcohol.
✓
Answer
Due to presence of an active hydrogen atom, ethyl alcohol reacts with sodium metal.
$2\text{CH}_3-\text{CH}_2-\text{OH}+2\text{Na}\rightarrow2\text{CH}_3-\text{CH}_2-\text{ONa}+\text{H}_2$
Diethyl ether, on the other hand, does not have replaceable hydrogen atom therefore does not react with sodium metal hence can be dried by metallic sodium.
$2\text{CH}_3-\text{CH}_2-\text{OH}+2\text{Na}\rightarrow2\text{CH}_3-\text{CH}_2-\text{ONa}+\text{H}_2$
Diethyl ether, on the other hand, does not have replaceable hydrogen atom therefore does not react with sodium metal hence can be dried by metallic sodium.
Need a full question paper?
Generate a complete, print-ready paper with questions like this in minutes — across 16+ boards, with answer keys.
Explore more
Similar questions
Primary carboxylic acids are soluble in water, why?
What are the factors affecting the rate constant of a reaction?
The $\text{E}^\ominus(\text{M}^{2+}/\text{M})$ value for copper is positive (+0.34V). What is possibly the reason for this? (Hint: consider its high $\Delta_\text{a}\text{H}^\ominus$ and low $\Delta_\text{hyd}\text{H}^\ominus$).
→With what neutral molecule is $ClO^–$ isoelectronic? Is that molecule a Lewis base?
→Write structures of the products of the following reactions:
Write the formula and uses of Westron and Westrosol.
What are agonists?
Is $(CH_2-CH)_n$ a homopolymer or a copolymer?
→Give the IUPAC name of the following compound:$\left(\mathrm{CH}_3\right)_2 \mathrm{C}=\mathrm{CHCOOH}$.
→Give reasons for the following:
Rough surface of catalyst is more effective than smooth surface.
Rough surface of catalyst is more effective than smooth surface.