Alcohols react with active metals e.g., Na, K etc., To give corresponding alkoxides. Write down the decreasing order of reactivity of sodium metal towards primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols.
oxygen and decreases the polarity of O— H bond. As the number of alkyl group increases
from 1° to 3° alcohols, the electron density on the O— H bond increases.
{twill finally decrease the polarity and increase the strength of O— H bond in going from
1° to 3° alcohols. Thus, acidic strength decreases in the following order
RB R
ACHOH > SCHOH > R—-SC—OH
1° alcoho! Zalcohol = RR 3° alcohot
‘As we know that, sodium metal is basic in nature and alcohols are acidic in nature. Thus,
reactivity of alcohol with sodium metal decreases with decrease in acidic strength.
Therefore, the correct order is 1° > 2° > 3°,
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