ALCOHOL REACTIONS WITH ELEMENTAL SODIUM

Alcohols react with elemental sodium to produce hydrogen gas and the sodium alkoxide:  2ROH + 2Na → 2NaOR + H₂.  This reaction is a measure of alcohol acidity. Here are mpg movies starring Jessica Howell:

Methanol reaction with Sodium(624 KB MPG file)

Methanol reaction with Sodium close-up (438 KB MPG file)

1-Butanol reaction with Sodium (592 KB MPG file)

1-Butanol reaction with Sodium close-up (240 KB MPG file)

2-Butanol reaction with Sodium close-up (128 KB MPG file)

t-Butanol reaction with Sodium close-up (128 KB MPG file)

More and better movies are planned as our shooting schedule, equipment, and server space allow.

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